The FGGE Arctic data buoy program

The measurements of positions of 20 drifting data buoys in the Arctic Ocean and the surface pressure and temperatures during the early months of 1979 improved the capability of monitoring the polar atmosphere when the high latitude operational activity is increasing. The 1 m diameter buoys were deployed by parachute from a 3000 m altitude; it was assumed that the buoys rested on the ice or snow surface within 1-2 m of sea level. The temperature sensing elements showed diurnal temperature fluctuations of about 4 C; the response time to thermal shock when moved from the indoor temperature of 20 C to the outdoor -35 C was 8 hr.