Abstract
Abstract. Sparv Embedded, Sweden (http://windsond.com, last access: 22 February 2019), has answered the call for less expensive but accurate reusable radiosondes by producing a reusable sonde primarily intended for boundary-layer observations collection: the Windsond S1H2. To evaluate the performance of the S1H2, in-flight comparisons between the Vaisala RS41-SG and Windsond S1H2 were performed during the Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry–Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project (FP7/2007–2013) ground campaign at the Kumasi Agromet supersite (6∘40′45.76′′ N, 1∘33′36.50′′ W) inside the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, campus. The results suggest a good correlation between the RS41-SG and S1H2 data, the main difference lying in the GPS signal processing and the humidity response time at cloud top. Reproducibility tests show that there is no major performance degradation arising from S1H2 sonde reuse.
Highlights
Accurate in situ measurements of tropospheric temperature, pressure, water vapour, and wind profiles provide critical input for numerical weather forecasting and climate models, in the quantification of atmospheric thermodynamic stability, for the development and application of remote-sensing retrievals, and as an important constraint for atmospheric process studies
The operational cost of launching a radiosonde is high: according to Bill Blackmore, as cited by Gonzalez et al (2012), the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecasting Offices (WFOs) estimate that the cost per unit launch of a radiosonde in the US is USD 325 and a total of USD 21 827 000 a year if 2 launches are made at 92 sites
This paper presents the results of the first field campaign utilization of the Windsond S1H2 during the Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry–Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project (FP7/2007–2013) ground campaign at the Kumasi Agromet supersite
Summary
Accurate in situ measurements of tropospheric temperature, pressure, water vapour, and wind profiles provide critical input for numerical weather forecasting and climate models, in the quantification of atmospheric thermodynamic stability, for the development and application of remote-sensing retrievals, and as an important constraint for atmospheric process studies. The operational cost of launching a radiosonde is high: according to Bill Blackmore (personal communication, 2012), as cited by Gonzalez et al (2012), the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecasting Offices (WFOs) estimate that the cost per unit launch of a radiosonde in the US is USD 325 (price includes radiosonde, balloon, and labour) and a total of USD 21 827 000 a year if 2 launches are made at 92 sites. This rough estimate varies regionally as the price of labour, helium, and balloons and is not the same around the globe. The performance of this radiosonde is compared with that of established Vaisala RS41 sondes in order to better understand changes in the nocturnal boundary layer, in addition to an assessment of the system’s overall robustness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
