For the second consecutive year, Howard University joins the University Coordinated Radiosonde Program (UCRP), a nationwide effort to track atmospheric rivers across the US. These are long, moisture-rich wind corridors that play a major role in precipitation and flooding patterns. Phase II of the program is set to run through January and February of 2026, involve up to 20 universities throughout the US and Canada, and enhance numerical weather prediction models (NWPs).
Pictured above and standing atop a frozen layer of ice left behind by snow and sleet from Winter Storm Fern, data technician, Rocio Rossi prepares a 200 grams hydrogen balloon for the first launch of the day. Howard University’s involvement in this campaign contributes a small but critical piece to understanding the dynamics of atmospheric rivers.
Launches Continue throughout the Day and Night
Adrian Flores aligns the receiving antenna, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission as the iMet-4 radiosonde climbs through the entire troposphere. This final launch of the day sends real-time temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind data back to the ground; information that doesn’t just live in a classroom, but also feeds into National Weather Service forecasts, local broadcast meteorology, and numerical weather prediction models, helping improve our understanding of the impacts of evolving atmospheric river events.
Inside the radiosonde laboratory, the iMet-4 is carefully prepared for release.
Across Phase II of the campaign, 500+ radiosondes like this one will be launched by participating universities nationwide. This year’s UCRP’s goal is to give, guided by research scientist, more than 150 undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience with live observational science, instrumentation, research techniques and their real-life applications.
Fieldwork Doesn’t Pause for Comfort.
Rocio Rossi and Adrian Flores battle gusts near 40 mph and below-zero wind chills while filling and stabilizing the balloon. Winter conditions across the DMV have been unforgiving, but the mission remains the same: launch consistently at 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and 10:00 pm, regardless of the cold. Atmospheric rivers don’t wait for perfect weather and neither do the scientists tracking them.
Against all odds (and a very determined balloon), the radiosonde team successfully stabilize the system and prepare it for release. Another clean launch, another vertical profile added to the dataset. The balloon may have tried to escape but scientific determination wins today.