Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Occluded Front • Dew Point • CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy)

Sounding Diagram

Term from Weather Forecasting industry explained for recruiters

A Sounding Diagram is a visual tool that weather forecasters use to understand what's happening in different layers of the atmosphere. Think of it like a vertical snapshot of the sky that shows temperature, moisture, and wind patterns at different heights. Meteorologists use these diagrams to predict weather conditions, especially severe weather like storms or potential flight hazards. You might also hear it called a "Skew-T Log-P Diagram" or "Weather Balloon Diagram" since the data often comes from weather balloons sent up into the atmosphere.

Examples in Resumes

Created daily weather forecasts using Sounding Diagram analysis for regional airports

Trained junior meteorologists in interpreting Skew-T Log-P Diagrams for severe weather prediction

Conducted research using Weather Balloon Diagrams to improve storm forecasting accuracy

Typical job title: "Weather Forecasters"

Also try searching for:

Meteorologist Weather Analyst Weather Forecaster Atmospheric Scientist Aviation Weather Specialist Climate Data Analyst

Where to Find Weather Forecasters

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Communities

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you use sounding diagrams to make critical weather decisions?

Expected Answer: A senior forecaster should explain how they analyze patterns in the diagram to predict severe weather, make flight safety decisions, and guide junior staff in interpretation. They should mention real-world examples of when their analysis made a difference.

Q: How do you train others to interpret sounding diagrams?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their teaching methods, common misconceptions they help others overcome, and how they ensure accurate interpretation of the diagrams for daily forecasting tasks.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What key features do you look for in a sounding diagram when forecasting severe weather?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic patterns that indicate storm potential, temperature inversions, and wind changes in simple terms.

Q: How do you compare computer model soundings with actual balloon data?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for comparing predicted versus actual atmospheric conditions and how they use this information to improve forecasts.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain what a sounding diagram shows?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the basic components: temperature line, moisture line, and wind information, and what they mean for weather forecasting.

Q: How often are new sounding diagrams created and why?

Expected Answer: Should know that weather balloons typically launch twice daily and understand why regular atmospheric measurements are important for forecasting.