Jump in pressure value upon launch

DQR No:                               Platform:  SGPSONDEC1

Subject:        Jump in pressure value upon launch 960117:2031

Date Submitted: 1/22/96
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondeWRPNC1/ (alt, asc, press)
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  1/17/96    Time   20:31    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

It appears that the pressure sensor was jarred during launch and jumped
readings from 975.4 hPa at the surface to 950.2 hPa at the first sample
after launch.  This results in erroneous altitude values throughout the
sounding and erroneous ascent rate values during the first 30 seconds.
The relative altitude calculations after the second sample should be
correct.  Although the surface wind speed was recorded at 10.3 m/s,
the next wind value is reported as 18.2 m/s - quite strong.  The bouncing
of the balloon during the launch might account for the abnormal jarring
of the sonde.


 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:



Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Jump in pressure value upon launch

DQR No:                               Platform:  SGPSONDEC1

Subject:        Jump in pressure value upon launch 960118:0533

Date Submitted: 1/22/96
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondeWRPNC1/ (alt, asc, press)
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  1/18/96    Time   05:33    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

It appears that the pressure sensor was jarred during launch and jumped
readings from 973.1 hPa at the surface to 960.7 hPa at the first sample
after launch.  This results in erroneous altitude values throughout the
sounding and erroneous ascent rate values during the first 30 seconds.
The relative altitude calculations after the second sample should be
correct.  The surface winds were quite strong, 16.5 m/s.  The bouncing
of the balloon during the launch might account for the abnormal jarring
of the sonde.

 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:


Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad pressure sounding 02/01/96:1129

Date Submitted:  2/01/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________

For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
 What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF

    Period of time in question
  Begin Date  02/01/96   Time   11:29    (GMT)
  End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others

 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 962.6.
The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 962.4 hPa. The surface
pressure in the previous (0533) and subsequent (1429) soundings were 983.3
and 985.7 respectively.  SMOS13 pressures were in the 983+ range during
this same period.  It appears that the sonde pressure sensor was bad and
was used as the source of the surface pressure (this is CF standard procedure).
Both the pressure and altitude values for this sounding are likely incorrect.

Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Incorrect surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Incorrect surface pressure sounding 960221:1131

Date Submitted:  2/22/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________

For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF

    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  02/21/96   Time   11:31    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others

 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 995.6 hPa.
The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 972.3 hPa.  It appears that
the operator entered sea-level pressure reported by the WeatherMeasureII instead
of sonde surface pressure. The altitude values for this sounding are likely
incorrect.

Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data and remind operators of current procedures.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Incorrect surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Incorrect surface pressure sounding 960221:1430

Date Submitted:  2/22/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________

For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF

    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  02/21/96   Time   14:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others

 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 995.6 hPa.
The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 969.7 hPa.  It appears that
the operator entered sea-level pressure reported by the WeatherMeasureII instead
of sonde surface pressure. The altitude values for this sounding are likely
incorrect.

Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data and remind operators of current procedures.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 04/01/96 14:30

Date Submitted:  4/2/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date   4/01/96   Time   14:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 1016.1
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 988.3 hPa. The surface
pressure at 11:29 was 987.6 and at 17:32 was 988.3.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 04/12/96 05:31

Date Submitted:  4/15/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF
 
    Period of time in question
    Begin Date   4/12/96   Time   05:31    (GMT)
    End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 996.1
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 964.2 hPa. The surface
pressure at 11:30 was 972.0 and at 14:30 was 973.5.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.
The SMOS pressure during the period is in the 960-970 range.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 05/04/96 05:29

Date Submitted:  5/06/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at: CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date   5/06/96   Time   05:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 993.3
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 964.0 hPa. The surface
pressure at 08:30 was 964.7 and at 11:31 was 954.3.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.
The SMOS pressure during the period is in the 960-950 range.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 05/29/96 20:31

Date Submitted:  6/2/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  05/29/96   Time   20:31    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 999.2
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 978.2 hPa. The surface
pressure at 17:25 was 980.1 and at 05:30 (5/30) was 981.8.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface values sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface values sounding 06/10/96 17:30

Date Submitted:  6/11/96
Submitted By:    Barry Lesht          _X_  Instrument Mentor
                 David Glahn          ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      _X_  Other _Site Ops__________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  06/10/96   Time   17:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The site operator inadvertently entered incorrect surface met values for
the subject sounding.  Although he caught the error soon after launch
and reported it immediately, it was too late to correct.  The following
table shows the incorrect (present in the file) and correct values.

                      Incorrect           Correct
Pressure               1000.0              973.9
Temperature              35.0               30.5
Relative Humidity        27                 30

The incorrect values of surface temperature and relative humidity will not
affect the other values in the sounding.  The incorrect surface pressure
will, however, affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 06/21/96 11:30

Date Submitted:  7/1/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
       Begin Date  07/01/96   Time   11:30    (GMT)
       End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 996.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 972.3 hPa. The surface
pressure at 05:30 was 972.3 and at 14:46 was 976.1.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding 07/04/96 17:28

Date Submitted:  7/6/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
	What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
 	Begin Date  07/04/96   Time   17:28    (GMT)
 	End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 995.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 970.1 hPa. The surface
pressure at 14:30 was 972.3 and at 20:27 was 971.1.  It appears that the
operator entered the sea-level pressure rather than the station pressure.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:14:29

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   14:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 1001.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 979.7 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:17:31

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
 	Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   17:31    (GMT)
 	End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 1001.5
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 978.9 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

Data Processing Notes                Date




----- End Included Message -----

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/09/96:20:29

Date Submitted:  9/9/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/09/96   Time   20:29    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 999.4
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 975.4 hPa.  It appears
that the operator incorrectly entered sea-level pressure obtained from the
WeatherMeasure set rather than surface pressure obtained from the radiosonde.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/12/96:0830

Date Submitted:  9/13/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  012/96   Time 08:30    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 987.7
hPa. The first pressure value reported by the sonde is 976.1 hPa.  The
operator transposed the correct surface pressure 978.7 when entering the
data.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad surface pressure sounding

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Bad surface pressure sounding C1 09/26/96:0828

Date Submitted:  9/27/96
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  09/27/96   Time 08:28      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The surface pressure for this sounding was entered by the operator as 976.1
hPa.  Analysis of the raw data file suggests that the actual surface pressure
at time of launch was 967.1 hPa.  It appears that the operator transposed 
the correct surface pressure from 967.1 to 976.1 when entering the data.

Note that this will affect the altitude calculation throughout the sounding.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Incorrect surface temperature

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Incorrect surface temperature: sounding C1 01/10/97:1730

Date Submitted:  1/11/97
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      _X_  Other - Site Ops
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  01/10/97   Time 17:30      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ____  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The site operator noted that the surface temperature for the subject sounding
was entered incorrectly.  The value entered was -3.3 degC; the correct value
should be -6.3 degC.  This is a fairly benign error, only the surface values
will be affected.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)

• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Status(wstat)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Questionable RH

DQR No:                               Platform: sgpsondeC1

Subject: Questionable RH: sounding C1 03/07/97:1427

Date Submitted:  3/18/97
Submitted By:                         _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other - Site Ops
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnC1.A1/all
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc):

    What location was the data collected at:  CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  03/07/97   Time 14:27      (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 _X__  questionable                      _?_  All data fields affected
 _X__  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 _?_  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

David Cook pointed out that the RH values for the subject sounding disagree
substantially with values reported at the 60m tower.  Review of the sounding
data shows saturation (100%) values reported at the surface and during
most of the sounding.  The site ops log shows RH values of between 68% (1400) 
and 52% (1500) at the surface.  Surface temperature (8.4) and pressure (983.0)
obtained from the sonde are not substantially different from the surface
observations (7.8/10.8) and (982.7/982.4) at 1400 and 1500 respectively, so
it is unlikely that an incorrect calibration tape was used for the sonde.
I think the conclusion must be that the RH sensor on this sonde was bad.

As an operational issue, this sonde should have been rejected by site ops
because the surface RH value of 100% is more than 7% different than the surface
value obtained from an independent reference instrument.  I will check the 
procedures that I have provided to site ops to be sure that I included this
criterion.  
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:

None

Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Jump in pressure value

DQR No:                               Platform:  sgpsondeC1

Subject:        Jump in pressure value C1 sounding 970505.1732

Date Submitted: 5/06/97
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnc1/ (alt, asc, press)
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  5/05/97    Time   17:32    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      _X_  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         ___  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

The first pressure value reported by the radiosonde (t = 2 sec) is
974.9.  The surface pressure value was 980.9 hPa.  This difference
is somewhat greater than the expected (normal) change and may mean that
either the pressure sensor was jarred during launch or the system 
mis-identified the actual launch start time.  Further clarification requires 
analysis of the raw data which will take some time.  The altitude values 
for this sounding will be incorrect.  The ascent rate values during the 
first 30 seconds also will be wrong.  Because the system will reject 
samples with out of bound ascent rates (i.e., during the first 30 seconds), 
the temperature and rh values also will be incorrect (result of 
interpolation).  Relative height values after 30 seconds should be okay.

 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:


Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Incorrect surface values

DQR No:                               Platform:  sgpsondeC1

Subject:        Incorrect surface values sounding 970621:2027

Date Submitted: 6/23/97
Submitted By:   Barry Lesht           _X_  Instrument Mentor
                                      ___  EST Member
                                      ___  Science Team Member
                                      ___  Other _____________________________
 
For questions or problems, please contact the ARM Experiment Center at
509-375-6898 or via email at dqr@arm.gov.

Platform/Measurement: sgpsondewrpnc1
    What level data: (raw,a0,a1,b1,c1 etc): all

    What location was the data collected at: SGP/CF
 
    Period of time in question
        Begin Date  6/21/97    Time   20:27    (GMT)
        End Date               Time            (GMT)

 Data should be labeled:
 ___  questionable                      ___  All data fields affected
 _X_  incorrect                         _X_  Only some data fields affected
 ___  wrong calibration
 ___  others 
 
 Discussion of Problem:

Site operations reports that incorrect surface values were entered into
the subject sounding.  Instead of 972.3, 33.7, and 46 the surface pressure,
temperature, and humidity values should have been 971.8, 33.3, and 47.

The incorrect surface pressure will result in incorrect altitudes throughout
the profile and incorrect ascent rate values during the first 30 seconds.
The effects of the incorrect temperature and relative humidty values should
be negligable.
 
Other observations/measurements impacted by this problem:


Suggested Corrections of the Problem: (e.g. change calibration factor and
recompute, flag data with this comment, etc.)

Flag data.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad sounding file CF 970622:0228

It appears that there was a problem with the radiosonde that generated
this short file. The pressure values are unreasonably high and the
file terminated after only 484 seconds of flight.  I note that the
operators started a new sounding at 0252.  This entire file should be
disregarded or deleted.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Bad pressure values CF sounding 970704:0525

The pressure values and hence altitude values are most likely incorrect
in this sounding.  It also appears that an incorrect surface pressure
value was entered by the operator.  The surface pressure value in
the data (986.8) is somewhat higher than the surface pressures for the
neighboring soundings and higher than recorded in the raw data collected
before launch (~978 hPa).  The first pressure value recorded by the
sonde after launch is 884.8 hPa.  Analysis of the absolutely raw data
reveals that the sonde was reading about 978 hPa well before launch,
then suddenly dropped to 886.8 at which it remained stable for several
minutes, then began slowly decreasing as would be expected after launch.
My best guess is that the sonde was somehow damaged during handling
before launch resulting in erroneous pressure values.  Relative pressure
changes from an 'apparent' surface value of 886.8 hPa may be correct,
but the absolute pressure values are not.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Questionable pressure/altitude data

Ric Cederwall noticed that the lowest 85 samples of this sounding have
nearly constant values of temperature and relative humidity.  It appears
that the system may have mis-identified the launch start time in a way
that resulted in the system using interpolated values of pressure even
though the sonde was still on the ground.  This may have been caused by
a damaged pressure sensor.  I will examine the absolutely raw data to
try and understand this further, but I think it is reasonable to assume
that the first 85 samples or so are incorrect and representative of
condidtions at the surface and that the pressure sensor was damaged
during this sounding.  I will request the raw data from the archive
today.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)

Pressure jump at launch

The difference between the first pressure value recorded by the radiosonde
after launch (984.5) that the surface value entered by the operator (989.3)
is somewhat larger than would normally be expected.  This will result in
incorrect altitude values throughout the sounding.  The ascent rates
during the first 30 seconds also will be incorrect.

• Wind Status(wstat)
• east longitude for all the input platforms.(lon)
• Relative humidity scaled, by total column amount from MWR(rh)
• model meridional wind velocity(v_wind)
• Ascent Rate(asc)
• altitude above sea levelaltunits(alt)
• Time offset of tweaks from base_time(time_offset)
• Wind Direction(deg)
• pressure at constant pressure surface(pres)
• Dry-Bulb Temperature(tdry)
• model zonal wind velocity(u_wind)
• Time offset from base_time(base_time)
• Surface dew point temperature(dp)
• surface wind speed(wspd)
• north latitude for all the input platforms.(lat)