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Glite Dictionary
dropsonde

dropsonde

1 9.9
A small device dropped from a plane that measures weather and sends data as it falls
  • noun
  • /ˈdrɒpsɒnd/
  • Specialized
: sonda de caída
  • The information from the dropsondes is sent back via satellite to the National Hurricane Center, which in turn relays it to the media and the public.

Examples

  • The information from the dropsondes is sent back via satellite to the National Hurricane Center to help forecast weather patterns.

  • A dropsonde is like a weather balloon that we release into the air to gather information.

    Blog text (30)

  • The Hurricane Hunters drop anywhere from 25 to 50 dropsondes.

    Blog text (30)

  • As a dropsonde makes its 10,000-foot descent into the sea, it transmits information about air temperature, pressure, humidity, and the speed and direction of the wind.

  • The Hurricane Hunters drop anywhere from 25 to 50 dropsondes during their missions to measure atmospheric conditions.

Synonyms

radiosonde
vsdropsonde
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A small device carried by a balloon to measure and send data about temperature and moisture in the air

is released from an aircraft and descends to the ground

Surface Forms

dropsonde singular
dropsondes plural

Morphology

dropsonde = drop + sonde (semi-transparent) = drop + sonde

The compound literally combines 'drop' and 'sonde' (a probe dropped from an aircraft), but 'sonde' is a technical borrowing unfamiliar to many learners, so full transparency is limited.

Etymology

Dropsonde is made from drop and sonde, where drop means 'to let fall' and sonde is a word that means 'probe' or 'tester'. So a dropsonde is a 'probe you drop', a small instrument released from a plane that measures the air as it falls.