Can the standard radiosonde system meet special atmospheric research needs?

Statistical examination of instantaneous dual‐measurements made with the standard U.S. radiosonde indicates rms temperature differences of only 0.3‐0.4°C, but rms pressure differences of up to 2 mb. The imprecision of the aneroid cell is seen to cause large displacements of estimated altitude from the true (instantaneous) altitude of the radiosonde. Researchers in need of absolute height information (radiosonde height as a function of time) will be at a loss if they rely on a single station, unsupported radiosonde measurement. It is also shown, however, that the radiosonde does provide an adequate pressure‐height relationship and thus fulfills the role for which it was intended, that is, estimating the height of a given pressure surface (i.e., synoptic use). The aneroid cell imprecision and its consequences can be avoided by radar tracking of the radiosonde. This method provides a precise measure of absolute height and can be used to calculate precise pressures. Additionally, there is little alteration of the synoptically used pressure‐height relation.