If a NWS upper-air station receives a low performance score are upper-air station staff to blame?
Not always. A low score may be caused by a number of factors beyond the control of station staff. Sometimes undetectable defects in radiosonde components and balloons, weather conditions, or problems with the data communications lines can cause a low score. Therefore, the station score reflects the performance of the entire upper-air program, which includes upper-air observers and program managers, as well as staff involved in equipment maintenance, logistics, and data communications. Upper-air station managers should use the scores as only one of many tools for assessing how well their station is performing.
