Areas of Fire Weather and Severe Thunderstorms on Friday

Critical fire weather is expected Friday across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and southern High Plains due to gusty winds and low humidity. Severe thunderstorms capable of large to very large hail, wind damage and tornadoes will be possible Friday and Saturday across parts of the central Plains. 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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