Extra Radiosonde Launches from Arctic Meteorological Stations

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AWIPEV

At the AWIPEV research base in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, radiosonde activities were increased to 4 launches per day. Vaisala RS41 sondes were flying at launch times 5, 11, 17, and 23 UTC. The AWIPEV station is registered as WMO radiosonde station 01004, and data transmission to GTS occurs via MET Norway.

Bear Island

The Bear Island meteorological station is maintained by MET Norway. Radiosonde activities were increased to 6 launches per day (2 daily extra launches) during the first Arctic Winter Special Observing Period. Weather balloons were launched at 0, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 UTC. Bear Island is registered as WMO radiosonde station 01028.

Danmarkshavn

The meteorological station in Danmarkshavn, Greenland is maintained by Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI). Radiosonde activities were increased to 3 launches per day with one extra weather balloon ascent daily at 18 UTC from 1 to 28 February and at 6 UTC from 1 to 31 March. Danmarkshavn is registered as WMO radiosonde station 04320.

Eureka Station

Eureka station is maintained by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Two additional radiosondes daily were deployed from here during the Arctic Winter Special Observing Period at 6 and 18 UTC, in addition to the routine weather balloon launches at 0 and 12 UTC. Eureka is registered as WMO radiosonde station 71917.

Jan Mayen Meteorological Station

Jan Mayen Meteorological station (WMO radiosonde station 01001) is Norway’s most remote meteorological station. In the Arctic Winter Special Observing Period in February and March 2018, six (two extra) radiosondes were launched every day. All photos are kindly provided by Vera Lund/MET Norway.

Luleå Station

With two extra launches, the Swedish autosonde station at the airport in Luleå (WMO station 02185) provided four ascents in total per day during the Arctic Winter Special Observing Period from 1 February to 31 March 2018. Observation times at this station which is maintained by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) were 00, 06, 12 and 18 UTC.

Sodankylä Observatory

At the Finnish Sodankylä observatory (WMO radiosonde station 02836) at 67°22'N, 26°38'E, the station staff of the Finnish Meteeorological Institute (FMI) launched radiosondes four times per day, at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC, the soundings at 06 and 18 UTC were the extra ones.