Map of all black dots showing the location of NWS Upper Air Sites.

Map of black, red, and orange dots showing where soundings have been suspended or degraded because of staffing and helium shortages.

NOUS41 KWBC 202015 PNSWSH Public Information Statement 25-17 National Weather Service Headquarters Silver Spring MD 415 PM EDT Thu March 20, 2025 To: From: Subscribers: -NOAA Weather Wire Service -Emergency Manager Weather Information Network -NOAAPORT Other NWS Partners and Employees Mike Hopkins, Director Surface and Upper Air Division Office of Observations Subject: Suspension of Radiosonde Observations at Omaha, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota, Effective March 20, 2025. Effective immediately, and until further notice, the National Weather Service (NWS) is temporarily suspending weather balloon observations at Omaha, NE and Rapid City, SD, due to a lack of Weather Forecast Office (WFO) staffing. Offices will perform special observations as needed. The stations have the following NWS Upper Air site identifier and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Upper Air site number: UPPER AIR SITE Omaha, NE Rapid City, SD WMO ID 72558 72662 NWS ID KOAX KUNR The NWS launches weather balloons twice daily from 100 upper air sites throughout the United States, Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Radiosondes are instruments attached to weather balloons that send back a wide range of upper atmospheric data to support weather forecasts, including temperature, dew point, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and wind direction. Radiosondes are one of many technologies that collect earth observation data for weather modeling and forecasting. Data is also collected from instruments aboard commercial aircraft, surface observing stations, satellites, radars, and buoys. If you or your organization have any questions about these changes, please contact: Susan Buchanan Director of Public Affairs National Weather Service Phone: 202-834-5235 E-mail: susan.buchanan@noaa.gov National Public Information Statements are online at: https://www.weather.gov/notification/

Two more NWS Upper Air Sites have suspended upper air launches - Omaha and Rapid City.

Here are two maps that show the degradation of our upper air network because of helium or staff shortages (or in the case of Chatham, because of coastal erosion).

www.weather.gov/media/notifi...

Two more radiosonde sites down for the foreseeable future, and in critical areas we need them at SPC 😑😔.

And there it is — 6 more sites going to once a day launches.

Currently having to devise rigorous/systematic methods of requesting observation for forecasts & model assimilation in the Day 2-3 time range. We can request launches if far enough in advance & if staffing permits.

Relative Short-Range Forecast Impact from Aircraft, Profiler, Radiosonde, VAD, GPS-PW, METAR, and Mesonet Observations via the RUC Hourly Assimilation Cycle Abstract An assessment is presented on the relative forecast impact on the performance of a numerical weather prediction model from eight different observation data types: aircraft, profiler, radioson...

From knowledgeable scientists we’ve talked to, RAOBs have the second largest increase in error for upper air metrics when removed, behind aircraft data.

On average, losing RAOBs will decrease mesoscale NWP forecast skill.

doi.org/10.1175/2009...

doi.org/10.1175/MWR-...

doi.org/10.1175/BAMS...

Really think we need more leaders of meteorology/atmospheric science departments in this country talking about the impending attempted destruction of our field between the targeting of federal and university career pathways.

I am upping totals to 5-9" for the metro and up to 11" for along Lake Huron shoreline. Along with the snow we will get some strong winds which will lead to near blizzard conditions Sunday. There will be considerable blowing and drifting as well.

Got more snow coming this weekend quite a flip from what we had experienced most of the winter.

We dont have the infrastructure for that right now. This is an insane take.

2 weeks until I take my first flight, going to #AMS2025 very excited.

We had a bunch here yesterday, straight up sno cone for about an hour.

NFL Sunday need a Lions domination.

Another rainy foggy kind of day here at DTW

Surprise 4" of snow at home from lake effect snow squalls

Another cloudy day here in Detroit, would love to get some snow or weather in general

Off and on snow squalls so far today

Dinner today was excellent

Amazing how quickly we can clear out. This was 2 hours apart

I am seeing some blue sky today here at work.

A lap cat that turned into a loaf cat.

A bit of snow today here at DTW

Fire restrictions have been lifted statewide across NJ.

Rainy day in Detroit, might end up with a few snow showers later this evening. A bit of snow tomorrow before switching to rain.

I agree the world does need more cat pictures. Here is Boots

A bright sunny day here at KDTW, some high clouds are moving in preceding the next rain system tomorrow

The Philippines have now been hit by four typhoons in the span of just 10 days.

Can't say I recall ever seeing this before.

Tried the chicken and waffles pizza from Hungry Howies. It was interesting and good but I don't know if I would get it again.

Happy NFL Sunday time for the Lions to go 9-1.

I am in the process of doing this rn. Its probably going to be so many people

How do you find out who is on here from over there? 😳