1. instruments carried by weather balloons that transmit atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, and pressure back to ground stations
Usage: meteorology; plural form

Examples

• The meteorologists launched radiosondes twice daily to collect upper-atmosphere data.
• Weather balloons carry radiosondes high into the sky to measure atmospheric conditions.
• The radiosondes transmitted temperature and humidity readings back to the weather station.
• Scientists use data from radiosondes to improve weather forecasting models.
• The radiosondes burst when the weather balloon reached maximum altitude.
• Modern radiosondes can measure wind speed and direction as they ascend.