Atmospheric Soundings and Numerical Models

[Ed Lizard]

Just thinking of that Pac NW bomb the other day, high winds to Alaska, as much money as the government spends anyway, maybe G-IV sampling anytime satellite shows something potentially major approaching the Pacific Coast. I see mention of winter storm tasking for the WC-130J, some higher altitude data might be a good thing for stronger Pacific storms.

[Srain]

Just thinking of that Pac NW bomb the other day, high winds to Alaska, as much money as the government spends anyway, maybe G-IV sampling anytime satellite shows something potentially major approaching the Pacific Coast. I see mention of winter storm tasking for the WC-130J, some higher altitude data might be a good thing for stronger Pacific storms.

Remember last winter, Ed? There were numerous winter missions from Japan and then HI for the G-IV. IIRCC, even a couple of missions of WC-130J out of AK.

[Ed Lizard]

Remember last winter, Ed? There were numerous winter missions from Japan and then HI for the G-IV. IIRCC, even a couple of missions of WC-130J out of AK.

I don't pay enough attention in Winter if a Houston Snow miracle isn't on the 6Z GFS at 264 hours.

[isohume]

As I understand it,  satellite thermal and moisture profiles are sort of lookin a slices of the atmosphere as opposed to sounding which give the the change the temperature and moisture as the balloon rises and drifts away.   Therefore,  if you are interested in stability you get a better picture from the soundings.  That's why I doubt in my lifetime,  they will get rid sounding altogether.

Yeah that's another limitation of GOES soundings. They sample layers. Much better vertical resolution is had with RAOBs. Most often it's not operationally significant, but for modeling and research it makes a difference.