wrote in message
ups.com...
The fog here lifted to low stratus at about 17C and that remains the
dewpoint now.

Lack of soundings is a real pain in many situations. The stratus
dispersal problem could be helped by using very low balloon ascents
rather than the full monty - say to 1,000 feet only. The most crucial
data as I understand it is the temperature profile. Surely it would be
a relatively cheap matter to use a lightweight digital thermometer
coupled via wireless network? Many ground stations already use
wireless from a remote sensor, so my idea is to send the measuring
device up on a balloon MAYBE ON A STRING for re-use. Alternatively -
here we go back two centuries - use a kite. (Wouldn't work in nil wind
as is often the situation in fog).

Jack, just wondering if you're aware of the AMDAR programme which provides
routine temperature data from aircraft :-
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research...dar/index.html
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research.../aircraft.html

Jon.