Summary

We present wind and temperature profiles at Dome C measured by balloon born sonds during the polar summer. Data from 197 flights have been processed for 4 campaigns between 2000 and 2004. We show the exceptionnal wind conditions at Dome C, Average ground wind speed is 3.6 m/s. We noticed in mid-november the presence of high altitude strong winds (40 m/s) probably due to the polar vortex which disappear in summer. These winds seem to have no effect on seeing measurements made with a DIMM at the same period. Temperature profles exhibit a minimum at height 5500 m (over the snow surface) that defines the tropopause. Surface layer temperature profle has negative gradient in the first 50 m above ground in the afternoon and a strong inversion layer (5oC over 50 m) around midnight. Wind profiles are compared with other astronomical sites, and with a meteorological model from Meteo France.

Authors:Aristidi E. Agabi A. Azouit M. Fossat E. Vernin J. Sadibekova T. Travouillon T. Lawrence J.S. Halter B. Roth W.L. Walden V.P. Published in: 2004 Category 3: Conference paper Program area: Astronomy
Aristidi E., Agabi A., Azouit M., Fossat E., Vernin J., Sadibekova T., Travouillon T., Lawrence J.S., Halter B., Roth W.L., Walden V.P. (2004) Site testing study based on weather balloons measurements, EAS Publications Series (Dome C Astronomy and Astrophysics Meeting, Toulouse, July 2004) 14. 227-232;

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