station identification and sounding identification
information. Such information includes the following:
Ship/mobile team/or station’s name
ICAO (shore), IRCS (ship)
Mobile team or ship’s latitude and longitude
Elevation of release
Scheduled observation time, day, month. year
and actual time of release
Radiosonde number
Any remarks
Most of these items are automatically entered on the
MRS printout.
DATA DISKETTE RECORDS
Every effort should be made to download upper-air
observation data directly to floppy diskette for
submission to FNMOD. Asheville, North Carolina.
This is a much easier process. and the data is more
rapidly archived. It also eliminates the storing of paper
forms. Ensure the diskette is labeled with the data type
(upper-air data). the station name and ICAO or IRCS.
and the date/time of the data. Also ensure the disk is
write protected.
Additionally, all upper-air observing units should
maintain an Environmental Meteorological Sounding
(EMS) Log file or book for all soundings. including
training. The log should indicate. at the minimum. the
instrument serial number. the data and time of release.
the latitude and longitude. and elevation of release (for
mobile units or ships), the size balloon used, how much
gas was used to till the balloon, the altitude of the
sounding at termination. the reason for termination, and
the time it took the radiosonde to reach the termination
level. Information about which Omega stations were
used. the surface weather. and remarks may also be
included.
Completed logs and duplicate copies of sounding
records serve several useful purposes. They may be
used for research or equipment evaluation, and as
justification for budget requests.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Q70.
Where are upper-air observation records sent at
the end of each month?
Q71.
What information from an upper-air observation
must be forwarded for archive purposes:’
Q72. What is the purpose of maintaining an
Environmental Meteorological Sounding (EMS)
log?
SUMMARY
In this chapter. we have discussed the different
types of upper-air observations and the equipment in
use by the Navy and Marine Corps. We also described
the basic procedures for conducting Rawinsonde and
Pibal observations. We then covered the two primary
code forms used to report Rawinsonde and Pibal-
observed information, and introduced you to the other
upper-air reporting code forms in international use.
Next, we explained how, by national practice. the
United States reports fixed regional level winds in the
PILOT code in addition to reporting the usual
information in the TEMP code. Finally, we discussed
the disposition of upper-air observation records.
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