Dropsonde
From Glossary of Meteorology
dropsonde
The dropsonde is similar to a radiosonde, but it is released from aircraft and parachutes to Earth. As it descends, it radios temperature, humidity, and pressure to the aircraft. Those equipped to also measure wind speed and wind direction are referred to as dropwindsondes. These are frequently deployed in hurricanes, winter storms, and specific phenomena such as atmospheric rivers by aircraft to provide profiles from the aircraft elevation to the surface.
See also radiosonde.
Compare rawinsonde, radiosonde observation, RAOB.Term edited 6 January 2022.
