2015 03 12 1800Z MGAUS Radiosonde Launch Report

Radiosonde was launched from the BAO Visitor's Center at exactly 1800 UTC (1200 MDT local) on the dot. Thank you to Jim Wilczak for photographing the launch and ensuring the launch time was exact. The corresponding skew-T ln-p diagram is here:

In addition, the wind speed / wind direction vs. height figure is shown here:

Remarks are as follows: High cirrus clouds overhead, thicker cirrostratus and altostratus in the distance to East and West at time of launch. Moderate temperatures at the surface with apparent boundary layer mixing. Breezy surface winds with some higher wind gusts. Balloon immediately moved toward the Front Range in the west from easterly low level winds. Wind maximum observed in surface layer, but wind speed magnitude mostly decreases with height until lower to mid troposphere. Wind direction quite variable in ABL, but mostly retaining an upslope component directed from the E / ENE. Ascent rate fairly slow due to low helium upon filling the balloon. Appears midday ABL is ~600-800 m depth, with some uncertainty. (Quelet)