radiosonde

American  

[rey-dee-oh-sond] / ˈreɪ di oʊˌsɒnd /

noun

Meteorology.

1. an instrument that is carried aloft by a balloon to send back information on atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity by means of a small radio transmitter.

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radiosonde British  

/ ˈreɪdɪəʊˌsɒnd /

noun

1. Also called: radiometeorograph.  an airborne instrument used to send meteorological information back to earth by radio

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radiosonde Scientific  

/ rā′dē-ō-sŏnd′ /

1. An instrument that is carried into the atmosphere by a balloon, makes measurements of temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction, and transmits the measurements back to the ground. A radiosonde is typically sent to altitudes of approximately 30 km (18.6 mi). There are approximately 70 radiosonde stations across the continental United States. Each station launches two radiosondes daily.

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Etymology

Origin of radiosonde

First recorded in 1935–40; radio- + sonde

Example Sentences

The balloon eventually bursts and the radiosonde descends by parachute to the ground, where it can be recovered and reused.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2022

“The N.W.S. claim that the loss of several radiosonde stations in a high-population region has no impact on the forecast was accompanied by no supporting evidence,” he said.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2022

This year, the scientists, with their passion for precision, will study the atmosphere right up to its top, with airplanes and radiosonde balloons.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Government soon took over and expanded this work, but the real solution of the problem was the radiosonde.

From Time Magazine Archive

This innovation, which fixed the form of the conventional registering instrument until the advent of the radiosonde, seems to have stemmed from a source quite outside meteorology—the technology of the steam gauge.

From The Introduction of Self-Registering Meteorological Instruments by Multhauf, Robert P.