National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Back-to-Back Storms for the Center of the Nation

These storm systems will bring late season snow, sleet and ice for portions of the northern Plains, upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, where temperatures are warmer, severe thunderstorms are expected for areas of the Mississippi Valley into the southern Plains. Furthermore, combination of windy and dry conditions will raise fire weather concerns for the southern High 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.