The Effect of Tropospheric Temperature Lapse Rates on the Ascent Rates of Pilot Balloons

Joey F. Boatman North American Weather Consultants, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Goleta, Calif. 93017

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Abstract

By utilizing a double-theodolite tracking system in conjunction with aircraft soundings and rawinsonde observations during pilot balloon release, it was found that temperature lapse rate may have a definite and sometimes adverse effect on the ascent rates of spherical meteorological pilot balloons. An alternative to the common usage of assumed ascent rates is proposed for common environmental temperature lapse rates.

Abstract

By utilizing a double-theodolite tracking system in conjunction with aircraft soundings and rawinsonde observations during pilot balloon release, it was found that temperature lapse rate may have a definite and sometimes adverse effect on the ascent rates of spherical meteorological pilot balloons. An alternative to the common usage of assumed ascent rates is proposed for common environmental temperature lapse rates.

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