Severe Weather in the Central U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Southern Plains

Severe thunderstorms are expected to form today from northern Oklahoma into southern Minnesota. Very large hail and tornadoes will be the initial threats this afternoon, then transition into a wind threat tonight. Gusty winds, warm temperatures, and very dry conditions will create a Critical Risk of fire weather across portions of the southern Plains today. Read More >

Upper Air Observations

Decoded Upper Level Winds
Plotted Upper Air Soundings

GOES Derived Atmospheric Vertical Soundings
Alternate Sources for Upper Air Soundings
Ohio State

California Wind Profiler Data Can be Found Here

Why Do Forecasters Still Rely on Weather Balloons?

Twice every day, from nearly 100 locations in the United States, the National Weather Service launches weather balloons, carrying instrument packages called radiosondes. Radiosonde sensors measure upper-air conditions such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction. The data is important for aviation safety, and meteorologists use radiosonde information to prepare weather forecasts.

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