Hi Lance,

I see with glee that MAP is on fire during these cold days – long live la crème de la crème
cold air!

I have been pinged by our radiosonde network design people who want to know
whether anyone has ever conclusively demonstrated that radiosonde observations
lead to improved human warnings, nowcasts and/or forecasts. Can you think of
a (smoking) reference that will allow me to extinguish any attempt to extinguish
the sonde network?
 
Cheers from a land flooded with a cool southerly maritime air stream
(I can see the 540 dm thickness contour in the distance)

Harald

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Hi Louie,

Can you think of any relevant references and/or internal NCEP documents that Harald Richter could use 
in support of arguments that maintaining radiosonde networks translates to the operational forecast bottom line.

Thanks.

Lance

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Lance: 

quantitative assessment of the value of data in numerical models by ECMWF and GSFC via the adjoint 
method has radiosonde data ranked 6th (out of 35+ data sets) with the GSFC results showing radiosonde 
having TOP VALUE PER OBSERVATION. Reason for high ranking involves lack of bias and the independent measure 
of temperature winds and moisture at same place and same time. I have ccd Jim Yoe who can provide slides 
and source information. Louis

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The attached slides are the ones Louis mentioned, with references. I included an additional slide with the 
FNMOC's results, which confirm likewise point to the importance of radiosondes (and dropsondes).  
I can also get you pointed to the Executive report of the WMO Data Impacts WS held in Sedona 
in May, 2012.   Give me a call at XXX XXX XXXX to discuss if need be.  

Regards 
- Jim