National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding for the Central U.S. through Tuesday; Dangerous East Coast Beach Conditions

Thunderstorms ahead of an approaching cold front will impact much of the Central U.S. through Tuesday. Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are forecast for portions of the central/southern Plains and the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys. Meanwhile, dangerous waves and rip currents will impact portions of the East Coast as tropical activity increases in the Atlantic. 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.