Figure 1-1.–Earth’s atmospheric layers.
encoded and reported “heights” in upper-air
measure the temperature, humidity, pressure, and/or
observations are actually altitudes.
wind speed and wind direction at various levels above
TYPES OF UPPER-AIR OBSERVATIONS
earth’s surface. The terms RAOB (RAdiosonde
OBservation) and RAWIN (RAWINsonde observation)
The term upper-air observation may be applied to
are frequently used to refer to type of upper-air
any of the different types of observations conducted to
observation. In the past, Navy and Marine Corps
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