Retrieval of static stability parameter from the radiosonde/rawinsonde ascent rate profiles: a wavelet approach

Abstract. In the present communication a novel method is presented to derive the altitude profile of Brunt-Väisälä period from the ascent rate profile of sounding balloons. The basic premise of the present method is that the oscillations in the ascent rate of the balloon will have the signature of Brunt-Väisälä frequency, which can be retrieved by using sophisticated spectral tools. We employ wavelet transforms to arrive at the Brunt-Väisälä period profile. Comparison of retrieved Brunt-Väisälä periods with the values derived from the temperature data available from the same radiosonde ascent shows good agreement. Retrieving the atmospheric temperature from the height profile of Brunt-Väisälä period is also discussed in the present communication. We have shown that it is possible to estimate the Brunt-Väisälä period and temperature profiles from the rawinsonde ascent rate data alone where temperature sounding is not available.