1. A small instrument package dropped from an aircraft that measures and transmits atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, and pressure as it falls.
Usage: technical; meteorology

Examples

• Meteorologists deployed dropsondes from the hurricane reconnaissance aircraft to gather real-time data.
• The dropsonde transmitted weather information throughout its descent to the ocean surface.
• Multiple dropsondes were released to map the vertical structure of the storm.
• Scientists use dropsondes to study atmospheric conditions in regions difficult to access by other means.
• The dropsonde's sensors recorded a sharp temperature drop at 10,000 feet.