Upper Air Radiosonde System Installation for Precise Weather Forecasting in Nepal

Project Overview

In a significant leap toward enhancing the country’s ability to monitor and mitigate climate-related hazards, the Government of Nepal has introduced radiosonding technology through the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). The objective is to obtain precise, real-time, and reliable upper atmospheric data, vital for improved weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and aviation safety.

Mahavir Shree International Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with DHM, has successfully installed an advanced Upper Air Radiosonde System within the premises of Tribhuvan University’s Central Campus, Kirtipur—just 200 meters east of the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Client and Project Details

Client: Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal

Location: Tribhuvan University, Central Campus, Kirtipur, Nepal

Industry: Aviation

Technical Implementation

System Components and Setup

The radiosonde system is a complete solution for upper air atmospheric data collection, comprising the following components:

Ground Station (GS-E): Receives data signals from the radiosonde via two antennas—AT-OMNI for telemetry and AT-GPS for GPS location.

Weather Balloon Launch System: Includes a hydrogen gas generator, parachute, and unwinder system for controlled radiosonde deployment.

Radiosonde Sensor: A GPS-enabled unit that ascends into the upper atmosphere transmitting live meteorological data in the 402.1 MHz frequency band.

All essential components, including the data receiver station, hydrogen generator, and power backup systems, are compactly housed inside a dedicated container near the launch site. The antennas are mounted above this container for optimal signal reception.

Operating Principle

Each day, between 5:30 AM and 5:45 AM, trained DHM personnel initialize and launch a hydrogen-filled weather balloon. The radiosonde is tied securely across a parachute and unwinder system and released into the atmosphere. As it ascends, it continuously transmits real-time data back to the ground station.

The radiosonde measures key atmospheric parameters such as:

Barometric Pressure

Temperature

Humidity

Wind Speed

Wind Direction

This data is then received, decoded, and visualized using Grawmet software, which converts raw telemetry into intuitive and usable graphs for analysis and forecasting.

Performance & Capabilities

Altitude Range:

Average: 27.124 km

Maximum Recorded: 32 km

Battery Runtime:

Minimum: 140 minutes (integrated battery)

Hydrogen Generator Operation:

Runtime: 2–3 hours daily

Calibration Frequency: Every 3 months

Training and Capacity Building

To ensure smooth and sustained operation of this advanced system, Mahavir Shree International Pvt. Ltd. conducted an intensive 30-day training program for DHM staff. The training was delivered in four distinct phases, covering:

System operation

Routine maintenance

Troubleshooting

Safety protocols related to hydrogen handling and launch procedures

Impact and Benefits

The implementation of the Upper Air Radiosonde System provides numerous strategic advantages:

Enhanced Weather Forecast Accuracy: With precise upper air data, meteorologists can make more informed and accurate predictions.

Climate Hazard Preparedness: Early warning systems can now be based on reliable data, improving public safety and disaster readiness.

Support for Aviation: Airlines can access real-time wind and pressure data to optimize flight planning and safety.

Research and Development: Meteorology students, researchers, and surveyors gain access to high-resolution atmospheric profiles for scientific exploration.

Conclusion

With this advancement, Nepal takes a crucial step toward modernizing its meteorological capabilities. The collaborative efforts of Mahavir Shree International Pvt. Ltd. and DHM have not only improved the country’s forecasting infrastructure but also strengthened its resilience against the growing threats posed by climate change. As balloon launches continue daily from Kirtipur, the future of weather prediction and early warning in Nepal looks promising and data-driven.