National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Cold Temperatures Continue in the Central U.S. Today; Pacific Storm to Impact the Pacific Northwest

Persistent arctic air is forecast to break numerous daily records and produce dangerously cold sub-zero wind chills across the Central and Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and the Southeast U.S. today. An atmospheric river will bring heavy rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest states and northern Rockies today through at least Tuesday. Read More >

Upper Air Observations


Decoded Upper Level Winds

Plotted Upper Air Soundings

GOES Derived Atmospheric Vertical Soundings

Alternate Sources for Upper Air Soundings
Ohio State

California Wind Profiler Data Can be Found Here

Why Do Forecasters Still Rely on Weather Balloons?

Twice every day, from nearly 100 locations in the United States, the National Weather Service launches weather balloons, carrying instrument packages called radiosondes. Radiosonde sensors measure upper-air conditions such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction. The data is important for aviation safety, and meteorologists use radiosonde information to prepare weather forecasts.