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Abstract
The primary application of dropsonde data is use in studying and helping predict the path and intensity of hurricanes. The objective of this project is to compile high resolution dropsonde data, collected over a thirteen year period (1996-2008) in regions where hurricanes typically develop, from NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division (HRD), NCAR’s Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), the United States Air Force, and NASA, and to apply consistent quality-control in order to produce a high-quality, long-term dropsonde climatology. This data may be used to characterize the thermodynamic and kinematic structure of different regions within a hurricane, and also to validate both satellite and reanalysis data. Dropsondes are deployed from aircraft, most commonly over oceans, and they collect data at a half second rate as they descend, measuring pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and GPS winds. Between 1996 and 2007 ninety-six storms formed in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans, ranging in size and strength from tropical depressions to hurricanes, and 12,363 dropsondes were deployed. Processing of these data will include running them through an established set of quality control procedures, examining individual atmospheric profiles, and using statistical software for data analysis in order to investigate special problems that may affect data quality. Special attention will be paid to try to improve the dropsonde water vapor profile. Consistent QC of the dropsonde soundings will provide researchers with a unique dataset that may facilitate further understanding of hurricane dynamics by providing an opportunity to examine trends and characteristics of environments conducive to hurricanes.