Adaptive sounding arrays for tropical regions

The advent of low initial-cost radiosonde systems (relative to previous systems available on the market) permits the establishment of radiosonde networks that can be operated "on-demand". This talk will describe the essential requirements to affordably operate such sounding networks, with particular application to the region important for hurricanes affecting the US. Key to the effectiveness of such adaptive networks are 1) low initial cost of the sounding system which permits many sites to be established, 2) relatively infrequent need for observations, 3) availability of personnel that are paid by observation rather than full-time staff, and 4) suitable locations that exist for additional sounding sites to be established. Two-way communications with the stations is critical, since the observations would be intermittent. The greatest challenge is likely to be in deciding when to make observations – which observations are likely to have the greatest impact on forecast skill and over what time frame? A comparison will be made between the current hurricane season “enhanced” sounding network in the Caribbean Sea region and what might be possible for the same budget via an adaptive strategy.