For initial datasets with T, humidity (+ geop. height and wind information), one can access NCEP-generated radiosonde files (for 0, 6, 12, and 18 Z ; one ASCII file for worldwide site data, not just on standard vertical (coarse) grid from the formerly active ftp site: ftp://ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/cpc/wd53rl/rsonde/.

Some quality control is included (flagged values). Data in ‘buffer’ files should be the same (for radiosondes, but with some extra drop sondes and aircraft data). The GSFC DAAC should have these file contents also (from the buffer files) and translated to HDF (although wind data are not included there).

For the highest (‘raw’) vertical resolution files, there may be some data available via Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) sites, and more information may be available from L. McMillan (per Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) team comment) - to be followed up on.