Vertical Wind Velocities from Superpressure Balloons: A Case Study using Eole Data

Abstract

A method for determining vertical wind velocities (&?) using the pressure-and temperature?change data from superpressure(constant?density) balloons was proposed in an earlier paper. In this paper, we present a case study using actual balloon data to test the method. Data from the Eole balloon experiment were used to estimate the sign of ? as well as the Horizontal velocity field, near 200 mb over Australia. The resulting patterns of vertical velocity compare favorably with satellite pictures and with current models of flow near jet-stream maxima. Additionally, this study provides evidence that areas of vertical motion in the troposphere extend upward into the lower stratosphere without changing sign.