Upper air soundings during POLARSTERN cruise ARK-XIX/4a

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 RS80 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 5-10 seconds which result in a vertical profile resolution of about 25-50 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.