RAWINSONDE DATA, OBSERVATIONS, AND SOUNDINGS


ISOHYPSIC CHART


The isohypsic chart is a chart similar to the isobaric chart, only now height is the independent (vertical) coordinate. Wind data from most rawinsonde systems are reported at standard or fixed wind levels, and then interpolated from these levels to the mandatory levels. In a sense, then, the most accurate wind data from a rawinsonde are available at these levels in the atmosphere. For one seeking detailed wind structure information, these are the charts of choice. The plotting convention is similar to the isobaric chart, except that we plot pressure of the constant height surface on the upper right. A table of height conversions from feet to meters is also provided here. All heights are above mean sea level, except for the surface chart, which is a measure of the observed surface winds at each stations' ground elevation. Since there are more of these levels than mandatory levels, more information about the structure of wind maxima (jets) are often available. These charts are also used extensively in aviation weather services.

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