Upper air soundings during POLARSTERN expedition ARK-XXVII to the Arctic Ocean in 2012

The upper air soundings are normally performed once a day to measure vertical profiles of air pressure, temperature, relative humidity and the wind vector. Helium filled balloons (TOTEX 600 g, 800 g) were used to carry Vaisala RS92-SGPW radiosondes. Whenever possible, the launches were performed about 10 UTC. Condensed measurements (TEMP Format FM-35) were transferred without delay into the Global Telecommunication System GTS were they contribute for the world wide weather forecasts. The profile data were taken every 5 seconds which result in a vertical profile resolution of about 25 meter. The profiles start at the helideck 10 m above sea level and terminate at the burst level of the balloons, normally at heights between 25 and 37 km.