A radiosonde climatology for Charleston, SC

Twice daily at 00 and 12 UTC all National Weather Service offices and other meteorological stations around the world launch a weather balloon radiosonde in order to obtain a vertical profile of the atmosphere. The radiosonde package transmits measurements of temperature, dewpoint, and wind during the flight. Meteorologists use the information for understanding present weather conditions, forecasting, and as input to the world weather models. For the project a climatological review was completed by compiling weekly averages of geopotential height, temperature, and dewpoint at mandatory pressure levels from the 12 UTC Charleston, SC sounding beginning in 1994. The results from the study indicate the historical range of temperature, dewpoint, and geopotential height at the 1000, 850, 500mb standard pressure levels for 48 seven or eight day periods throughout the year. Seasonal variations will be shown and past significant weather events in the Charleston area and will be compared to the climatology. The information will help forecasters identify the potential for such events based on real time data deviations from climatology.