| Forecast
Soundings - using data from NOAA
Actual
soundings from balloon ascents are available only after the event, but
the upwind data on the day itself is invaluable.
However,
it is useful to have an idea of the air mass characteristics to be expected
in a few days time - a forecast sounding.
There
is a world digital database of forecast winds, temperatures (dry
and dewpoint) covering the next few days.
It
would seem that only data for certain levels is available on the web, eg
1000, 975, 850, 700 mbs etc
The
procedure below explains how to interact remotely with the NOAA computer
and produce custom data NOAA
website
The examples do not represent
any particular day, but are used to illustrate the methods used.
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At the
NOAA
website
you will interact with a
remote computer
Select an appropriate Lat/Long
(example is Midlands)
Click
Continue
on the screen (example left) |
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| You now get a screen (part
of it shown right) where you can select your sounding dataset.
Click Go |
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Next select the time for
which forecast is required and also click the optional "Text Listing"
and "Graphic size"
Enter the access code.
Click "Submit" |
|
The forecast sounding (with
the optional text) which can be interpreted as explained in the soundings
tutorial
Use this forecast in conjunction
with synoptic charts to assess the day's prospects. At worst, you
will be wrong! |