Description

Sonde Predict is a software for calculating radiosonde flight paths using upper wind data gathered from the “Global Forecast System” (GFS). It automatically downloads all needed parameters from GRIB-files and then uses, a highly sophisticated, algorithm to estimate the flight path and impact position. The user interface is designed to be simple and user friendly. Users can define multiple launch and receiving sites and run multiple calculations also in batched mode. Results are displayed numerically or using 3D-track presentation in Google Earth.

Generic information about software

The user interface has been designed to be simple to use. All calculated prediction dates are displayed on the left. Prediction results can be displayed by selecting date and time. The details window display all needed information including estimated impact location coordinates. The coordinates are decimal formatted.

Predictions date(s) will be bold when the estimated impact position is under 30 km from configured receiving location (Your location). This will make easier to detect good radiosonde hunting days quickly without analyzing data more precisely.

Prediction date is entered using the Schedule-dialog and time from a drop down menu. It’s possible to create history calculations also from the previous 7-days.

Prediction is started by clicking <<Run>> or <<Start a batch>> button. Batch button will do multiple calculations (configured under settings) automatically.

Already calculated predictions can be deleted by selecting date(s) and clicking <<Delete>> button.

To visualize track using Google-Earth, select one or more dates keeping Ctrl-button pressed and then click Google Earth button. More about Google Earth integration later in this document.

Settings

Click the “settings” button to open program settings window. To allow Google-Earth 3D-track visualization, select correct path to googleearth.exe executable.

If specific network proxy is needed it can be set under Network section.

Batch predictions are useful to save manual work if calculations for multiple different times are needed. A typical situation is that you want to calculate 00 UTC & 12 UTC soundings for next few days.

To create a new batch rule, select launch site (Launch location) and your own location (Your location) from the drop down menus. Then select how many days are included into the calculations. Days numbering: 0 = Current day, 1 = tomorrow . . .

Finally select needed launch time hours. Click Save and recheck created schedule and save changes by clicking Apply.

Example

If you want to create batch prediction for the next three days 00 and 12 UTC flights excluding the current day.

Select a launch location and your location. Then select 1, 2 and 3 for days. To get both interested launch hours to be included into prediction, select 0 and 12. Finally click Save to activate batch schedule.

When a schedule is activated it can be cross-checked from the Current Schedule dialog. Days 1 2 3 indicate that the next three days are included into a prediction, but calculation for current day (0) is not included. Hours 0 12 indicate that 00 UTC and 12 UTC hours are calculated for each selected days.

When batch schedule is created it can be executed by pressing the << Start a batch >> button.

Note: Locations are set under the Locations-tab. Multiple different locations can be set and they are then easily available via drop down menus. When the program is started for the first time, there are no locations available.

To add one, specify name, latitude, longitude (negative value for western locations) and station altitude in meters. Finally click Save to add new location. Note: Coordinates are entered as decimals.

Locations dialog seen after a few launch and own locations added.

To update an already added location select the one from the list, change needed values and click Update. Already added location can be deleted by selecting location name and then click Remove.

Balloon flight related parameters are configured via Track parameters tab. Proper selected settings is the key element of reliable flight path estimation. Typically these settings are based of some kind of experimentation.

A good starting point is 5.0 m/s for ascent phase and about 30 m/s for descend. Descend rate is averaged value of overall fall phase of flight. On upper atmosphere levels, it is higher and then when density of air increases at lower altitudes during descend it begins to decrease. Using the data gathered from actual soundings would help a lot finding the best values.

Burst altitude is estimated balloon burst level in meters. This setting will significantly affect the estimated impact point.

Settings can be set by sliders using mouse and fine tune is done by using keyboard left/right arrow buttons. When all needed settings are done click Apply and Close.

4. Create a prediction

Select balloon launch location and your own location. Then select launch date from the calendar and UTC-time from the dropdown menu. Remember to add all needed locations via Settings -> Locations, before running predictions.

Start prediction by pressing <<Run>> button. Progress percentage will inform the phase of calculation. If there is any errors during processing they are displayed via separate error dialogs. See troubleshooting section for more info. Calculation can be cancelled anytime by pressing Stop button.

When calculation is ready, needed data is available by clicking date and plus-sign.

TIP: It’s possible to select needed data fields by mouse and then just copy them to clipboard using Ctrl+c keyboard command.

Batch run is done similar way by pressing <<Start a batch >> button. Calculation time will vary depending how many days and hours are selected. To monitor phase of the batch calculation see task and progress information fields on the bottom of the main Sonde Predict window. Progress will always indicate single task phase not the state of the whole batch prediction.

If prediction is made again for the same locations using same date and time, current prediction results will be overwritten automatically. Also if new calculation is done inside small timeframe, data is taken from the program cache to make operations faster.

5. Google-Earth visualization

Sonde Predict has the capability to visualize calculated paths using GE. To create simple visualization from one flight select date and then press <<GoogleEarth>> button to export .kml file to GE. Google-Earth should automatically start and display track after a short amount of time.

Additional information regarding different phases of estimated flight can be gathered by clicking the track line by mouse cursor. Forecasted wind speed and heading at selected altitude are displayed in separate data-dialog. This feature can be also to be used for crosschecking valid forecast time used for calculation.

Multiple tracks can be also displayed at the same time. This is done by selecting multiple dates keeping Ctrl-button pressed and then clicking <<Google Earth> button.

Tracks are then displayed at the same time on GE to give user better kno/wledge about changed upper atmosphere wind speeds and directions. Note: When selecting multiple days, export time to Google Earth would be little bit longer comparing the single one.

Additional info-dialog is available normally also when multiple tracks are displayed.

6. Troubleshooting

Typical error situations are related to networking. If valid internet connection is not available, downloading needed GFS-data will fail and produce errors. In these cases please recheck your network settings and connectivity.

Separate logfile log.txt is automatically created into Sonde Predicts folder. Please refer this file in error situations.

7. Installation

There is no need to run any installer. Just create new folder ie. C:\SondePredict and unzip the downloaded files into the folder created.

Sonde predict is started by double clicking sp.exe file. You can create a shortcut to Windows desktop if necessary.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows XP SP3
• Windows 7 32-bit & 64-b
• Windows 10

To uninstall Sonde Predict, just remove folder and files. Sonde Predict does not write any data to the windows registers or anywhere else outside the installed directory. It does not require any privilege other than a network connection to download the GRIB data. In addition it will check if an update of SondePredict is available.

Current status of this project

This software is currently stable, no further developments planned except possible bug fixes.

DECEMBER 2022: fixed deprecated url

If you have any comments / wishes please contact me!