SGP/SONDE/C1 - Incorrect surface temperature

It appears as if the operator mis-typed the temperature when entering the
surface values into the system.  The value appears as 89.0 degC instead of
8.9 degC.  Also note that there are no RH data in this sounding other than
the initial value of 100%.  The reason for this loss of RH is unknown.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

SGP/SONDE - Questionable absolute pressures

The sonde surface pressure reading was considerably higher than the
corresponding THWAPS pressure (988.0 hPa vs 982.3 hPa).  The sonde
readings are consistent during the sounding, however, suggesting that
this is not a case of a pressure jump at launch but one of sensor offset.
This problem will only affect those who use the absolute pressure values.
The file altitudes, which are based on the relative pressure changes
from the surface, should be fine.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

SGP/SONDE - Questionable absolute pressures

The sonde surface pressure reading was considerably higher than the
corresponding THWAPS pressure (992.9 hPa vs 983.0 hPa).  The sonde
readings are consistent during the sounding, however, suggesting that
this is not a case of a pressure jump at launch but one of sensor offset.
This problem will only affect those who use the absolute pressure values.
The file altitudes, which are based on the relative pressure changes
from the surface, should be fine.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

SGP/SONDE/C1 - Operator used wrong calibration tape

It appears as if the operators had a problem with the original sounding
and launched a second radiosonde.  Apparently they used the calibration
tape that came with the first radiosonde (serial number 943156405) in
place of the one that was correct for the second radiosonde (sn 943156406)
and all the data are bad after the first sample (surface values).

• lon
• u_wind_calc
• alt
• u_wind_flags
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• base_time
• v_wind_flags
• time_offset
• v_wind_calc

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• time_offset
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• base_time
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• asc
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat

• base_time
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• time_offset
• alt
• Wind Direction(deg)
• lat
• lon

• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lon
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• base_time
• alt
• lat
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• time_offset
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• wstat
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)

• base_time
• wstat
• alt
• lon
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• asc
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE/C1 - Incorrect absolute pressure

The surface pressure (983.5 hPa) reported by this radiosonde (sn 94315713)
is substantially higher than that reported by the THWAPS (~977) or by the
sondes used in the previous and following soundings (976.6, 977.3).  This
may be a calibration problem or a mechanic problem on launch.  The pressure
values reported in the remainder of the sounding are consistent with the
reported surface pressure, so the altitudes should be correct.  The
absolute pressure values may be high by about 5 hPa.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

SGP/SONDE/C1 - Incorrect surface temperature

The value for air temperature at the surface in this file is 23.3 degC.  This value is too 
high and resulted from incorrect data entry (typographic mistake) by the operator.  The 
true value as determined from the operator pre-launch logs is 12.3 degC.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 05/04/96 05:29

Date Submitted:  5/06/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date   5/06/96   Time   05:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 993.3
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 964.0 hPa. The surface
pressure at 08:30 was 964.7 and at 11:31 was 954.3.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.
The SMOS pressure during the period is in the 960-950 range.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 05/29/96 20:31

Date Submitted:  6/2/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  05/29/96   Time   20:31    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 999.2
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 978.2 hPa. The surface
pressure at 17:25 was 980.1 and at 05:30 (5/30) was 981.8.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface values sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface values sounding 06/10/96 17:30

Date Submitted:  6/11/96
Submitted By:    Barry Lesht          _X_  Instrument Mentor
                 David Glahn          ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      _X_  Other _Site Ops__________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  06/10/96   Time   17:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The site operator inadvertently entered incorrect surface met values for
the subject sounding.  Although he caught the error soon after launch
and reported it immediately, it was too late to correct.  The following
table shows the incorrect (present in the file) and correct values.

                      Incorrect           Correct
Pressure               1000.0              973.9
Temperature              35.0               30.5
Relative Humidity        27                 30

The incorrect values of surface temperature and relative humidity will not
affect the other values in the sounding.  The incorrect surface pressure
will, however, affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 06/21/96 11:30

Date Submitted:  7/1/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
       Begin Date  07/01/96   Time   11:30    (GMT)
       End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 996.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 972.3 hPa. The surface
pressure at 05:30 was 972.3 and at 14:46 was 976.1.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 07/04/96 17:28

Date Submitted:  7/6/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
	What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
 	Begin Date  07/04/96   Time   17:28    (GMT)
 	End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 995.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 970.1 hPa. The surface
pressure at 14:30 was 972.3 and at 20:27 was 971.1.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:14:29

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   14:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 1001.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 979.7 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:17:31

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
 	Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   17:31    (GMT)
 	End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 1001.5
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 978.9 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date




----- End Included Message -----

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:20:29

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   20:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 999.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 975.4 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/12/96:0830

Date Submitted:  9/13/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  012/96   Time 08:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 987.7
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 976.1 hPa.  The
operator transposed the correct surface pressure 978.7 when entering the
data.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/26/96:0828

Date Submitted:  9/27/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/27/96   Time 08:28      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 976.1
hPa.  Analysis of the raw data file suggests that the actual surface pressure
at time of launch was 967.1 hPa.  It appears that the operator transposed 
the correct surface pressure from 967.1 to 976.1 when entering the data.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Incorrect surface temperature

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Incorrect surface temperature: sounding C1 01/10/97:1730

Date Submitted:  1/11/97
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      _X_  Other - Site Ops
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  01/10/97   Time 17:30      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The site operator noted that the surface temperature for the subject sounding
was entered incorrectly.  The value entered was -3.3 degC; the correct value
should be -6.3 degC.  This is a fairly benign error, only the surface values
will be affected.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Questionable RH

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Questionable RH: sounding C1 03/07/97:1427

Date Submitted:  3/18/97
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other - Site Ops
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1.A1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  03/07/97   Time 14:27      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 _X__  questionable                      _?_  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 _?_  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

David Cook pointed out that the RH values for the subject sounding disagree
substantially with values reported at the 60m tower.  Review of the sounding
data shows saturation (100%) values reported at the surface and during
most of the sounding.  The site ops log shows RH values of between 68% (1400) 
and 52% (1500) at the surface.  Surface temperature (8.4) and pressure (983.0)
obtained from the sonde are not substantially different from the surface
observations (7.8/10.8) and (982.7/982.4) at 1400 and 1500 respectively, so
it is unlikely that an incorrect calibration tape was used for the sonde.
I think the conclusion must be that the RH sensor on this sonde was bad.

As an operational issue, this sonde should have been rejected by site ops
because the surface RH value of 100% is more than 7% different than the surface
value obtained from an independent reference instrument.  I will check the 
procedures that I have provided to site ops to be sure that I included this
criterion.  
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Jump in pressure value

DQR No:                               Platform:  sgpsondeC1

Subject:        Jump in pressure value C1 sounding 970505.1732

Date Submitted: 5/06/97
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnc1/ (alt, asc, press)
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  5/05/97    Time   17:32    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      _X_  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         ___  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The first pressure value reported by the radiosonde (t = 2 sec) is
974.9.  The surface pressure value was 980.9 hPa.  This difference
is somewhat greater than the expected (normal) change and may mean that
either the pressure sensor was jarred during launch or the system 
mis-identified the actual launch start time.  Further clarification requires 
analysis of the raw data which will take some time.  The altitude values 
for this sounding will be incorrect.  The ascent rate values during the 
first 30 seconds also will be wrong.  Because the system will reject 
samples with out of bound ascent rates (i.e., during the first 30 seconds), 
the temperature and rh values also will be incorrect (result of 
interpolation).  Relative height values after 30 seconds should be okay.

 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:


Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Incorrect surface values

DQR No:                               Platform:  sgpsondeC1

Subject:        Incorrect surface values sounding 970621:2027

Date Submitted: 6/23/97
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnc1
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  6/21/97    Time   20:27    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

Site operations reports that incorrect surface values were entered into
the subject sounding.  Instead of 972.3, 33.7, and 46 the surface pressure,
temperature, and humidity values should have been 971.8, 33.3, and 47.

The incorrect surface pressure will result in incorrect altitudes throughout
the profile and incorrect ascent rate values during the first 30 seconds.
The effects of the incorrect temperature and relative humidty values should
be negligable.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:


Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Bad sounding file CF 970622:0228

It appears that there was a problem with the radiosonde that generated
this short file. The pressure values are unreasonably high and the
file terminated after only 484 seconds of flight.  I note that the
operators started a new sounding at 0252.  This entire file should be
disregarded or deleted.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Bad pressure values CF sounding 970704:0525

The pressure values and hence altitude values are most likely incorrect
in this sounding.  It also appears that an incorrect surface pressure
value was entered by the operator.  The surface pressure value in
the data (986.8) is somewhat higher than the surface pressures for the
neighboring soundings and higher than recorded in the raw data collected
before launch (~978 hPa).  The first pressure value recorded by the
sonde after launch is 884.8 hPa.  Analysis of the absolutely raw data
reveals that the sonde was reading about 978 hPa well before launch,
then suddenly dropped to 886.8 at which it remained stable for several
minutes, then began slowly decreasing as would be expected after launch.
My best guess is that the sonde was somehow damaged during handling
before launch resulting in erroneous pressure values.  Relative pressure
changes from an 'apparent' surface value of 886.8 hPa may be correct,
but the absolute pressure values are not.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Pressure jump at launch

The difference between the first pressure value recorded by the radiosonde
after launch (984.5) that the surface value entered by the operator (989.3)
is somewhat larger than would normally be expected.  This will result in
incorrect altitude values throughout the sounding.  The ascent rates
during the first 30 seconds also will be incorrect.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Incorrect radiosonde serial numbers

Radiosondes manufactured at Vaisala's Woburn, MA factory during the first
of January 1998 have incorrect serial numbers.  Instead of being numbered
8012XXXXX these sondes are numbered 7012XXXXX.  Vaisala has been informed
of this, has confirmed the problem, and has corrected their numbering for
all subsequent sondes.  163 incorrectly numbered sondes were shipped to ARM
on 1/9/98.  Some have been used at the CF since 1/19/98:1430.

• lon
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• base_time
• time_offset
• asc
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• wstat
• lat
• alt

• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• lon
• alt
• asc
• time_offset
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• base_time
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• time_offset
• wstat
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• asc
• base_time
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• lon
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)

• asc
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lon
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• time_offset
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• base_time
• alt
• wstat
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Wind Direction(deg)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• lat
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• lon
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• base_time
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• time_offset

• alt
• wstat
• asc
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• lon
• lat
• base_time
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• time_offset
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

• base_time
• wstat
• asc
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• lat
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• lon
• alt
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)

• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• lat
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• time_offset
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lon
• base_time
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• asc
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• alt
• lat
• lon
• base_time
• asc
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• wstat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• time_offset
• Wind Direction(deg)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• base_time
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• wstat
• lon
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• alt

Incorrect surface temperature and humidity

Incorrect values of surface temperature and relative humidity were entered
by the operator.  The surface temperature was entered as 17.5 degC; the
first value reported by the sonde was -3.6 degC.  The surface humidity
was entered as 26; the first value reported by the sonde was 81%. It
appears that the operator used the inside temperature/humidity rather
than the sonde-reported outside temperature/humidity.

Only the first few samples of the sounding will be affected.  Note that
the delta-check QC flag is set by this error.

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Incorrect surface values

The surface pressure, temperature, and relative humidity are incorrect for
this soundings.  The values in the sounding netCDF file (975.6, 3.2, 86)
are different from the surface observations in the site ops log (978.9,
9.1, and 83) and from the values in the raw radiosonde data file at
the moment just before ascent (978.7, 9.5, 83).  The reason for the
differences are unknown, but insofar as the surface values are manually
entered by the operator into both the log (where they are correct) and
into the sounding file (where they are incorrect) an operator
miscue is a possibility.

The major effect of this problem will be incorrect absolute altitude.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Incorrect surface pressure

The operator transposed the digits of the surface pressure entering 976.3
instead of 967.3.  The ops log shows 967.3 for the sonde and 968.3 for
the THWAPS.  Analysis of the absolutely raw sonde data shows 968.0 at
the system-identified launch time.

Note that because the output pressure data are smoothed, under the
assumption that the surface data value is true, the first value
reported by the sonde after launch 970.4 also is incorrect.  The raw
value corresponding to the sample after launch is 966.6.

The absolute pressure values will be incorrect for the first few samples
of the sounding, as will be the ascent rates for the first 30 seconds.
The absolute altitude values also will be in error.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Incorrect surface pressure

The operator entered 960.2 for the surface pressure in both the log and
the system.  The first reading from the sonde is 950.9.  Examination of
the absolutely raw data shows that the sonde pressure before launch was
952.3.  The THWAPS reading was 964.2.  From the raw data it appears that
either the system was not reset before this sounding or that a second
sonde was started without resetting the system.  The sonde pressure
may be low in absolute terms or the operator may have mis-entered the
actual sonde reading.  In either case the absolute altitude will be wrong
in this sounding and the ascent rates will be incorrect for the first
30 seconds.

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)

Bad sounding

Data from this sounding look very fragmented as if only a few actual points
were collected and intermediate points were intepolated.  In a general
sense this sounding looks 'weird' and should not be trusted.  I do not yet
have access to r1 so I can't look at the raw data, but I doubt that it will
shed much light on the situation.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Incorrect surface readings

It appears that the operator entered an incorrect set of surface data for
the subject sounding.  The sounding has surface PTU as 975.6 hPa, 20.0 degC,
and 93% RH - the corresponding THWAPS readings are 969.7 hPa, 19.9 degC, and
72.1 %RH.  The OMIS log for the subject souding shows sonde surface values
of 969.2 hPa, 17.6 degC, and 70% RH.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Incorrect surface RH

Because of what appears to be a typographical error, the operator entered
5% RH when the surface RH was 54% RH.  The corresponding THWAPS reading
is 50.1% RH and the OMIS log shows 54%RH.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE - Dry bias in sonde RH

Vaisala has confirmed ARM findings of an apparent dry bias in the
relative humidity measured by RS-80H radiosondes.  The cause of
the dry bias is thought to be contamination of the humidity sensor
by volatile organic substances originating from some plastic parts
of the radiosonde.  The amount of contamination is a function of
the time between the date of sonde manufacture and its use.  All
RS-80H sondes manufactured before week 34 of 1998 will show this
bias.  After week 34 of 1998 Vaisala changed its packaging to
reduce, but not eliminate the contamination problem.

Starting with RS-80 radiosonde manufactured in late June 2000 Vaisala
enclosed the sensor boom in an inert plastic shield, thereby eliminating
the contamination that caused the dry bias.

Starting in May 2001 at the SGP, May 2002 at the TWP, and later 2002
at the NSA, ARM has moved to using RS-90 radiosondes.  These sondes
are not subject to the contaminatino that caused the dry bias.

Vaisala is in the process of developing an algorithm that can be 
used to estimate the correct RH from knowledge of the sonde age.
All of the ARM sounding data have sufficient metadata available
to apply the correction.

Additionally, ARM has funded a Science Team effort (Milosevich) to
develop a 'best' correction algorithm for the RS-80 radiosonde humidity
data.  When completed this algorithm will allow us to reprocess the
accumulated RS-80 data and produce a new data platform with what we
hope will be more accurate data.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Development data stream - documentation not supported

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

SGP/SONDE - Wrong cal tape

There is something wrong with this sounding, its not clear exactly
what happened, however.  The first values reported by the radiosonde
are much different from those entered by the operator.  My impression
is that this is a calibration tape mixup.  The raw data file shows
that the sounding software was initialized twice for this sounding,
the first time showing sonde 823360910, the second time showing
sonde 819351814.  There is no enties in the operations log that
describe a problem with a sonde before launch.

• lat
• base_time
• lon
• u_wind_calc
• alt
• v_wind_flags
• u_wind_flags
• time_offset
• v_wind_calc
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE - Pressure jump at launch

The difference between the sonde-reported pressure at the surface
(969.1 hPa) and the first pressure value reported after launch
(963.5) is larger than expected.  This may indicate that either
the pressure sensor was jarred at launch, that the system failed
to correctly identify the launch start time, or some other problem.

The ascent rates during the first 30 seconds of the sounding will be
incorrect as will the absolute altitudes during the sounding.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

Incorrect surface RH

The operator entered an incorrect value (7.5%) for the surface RH for this
sounding.  The correct value should have been 70%.  The operator noticed
the error after the sounding had been completed and reported it in his log.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE - RH probably biased low in several soundings

In the process of moving storage facilties, site operations uncovered some old radiosondes 
(vintage April 1998) that were used in several soundings starting on May 10 at 0530 and 
continuing at least through May 11 at 2040.
Because these sondes are so old and pre-date Vaisala's repackaging they are likely subject 
to the sensor contamination problem that results in a dry bias in RH.  The sondes in 
question have serial numbers 816XXXXXX.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE - Incorrect surface temperature

The operator entered 20.0 degrees rather than the true temperature of 2.0
degrees.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset

SGP/SONDE - Incorrect surface temperature

The operator entered the surface temperature as 25 degC rather than the
correct 2.5 deg C.  This is the second time in a week this type of error
has occurred.  I have sent a separate e-mail to site ops.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• time_offset
• lat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Northward Wind Component(v_wind)
• asc
• Eastward Wind Component(u_wind)
• alt
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• Wind Direction(deg)
• wstat
• base_time

• base_time
• alt
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• asc
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Dewpoint Temperature(dp)
• lat
• Dry Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• wstat
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Mean Wind Speed(wspd)
• lon
• time_offset