(ECNS) — The world’s highest BeiDou upper-air meteorological observation station was put into operation in Baingoin County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, according to China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

According to Pema Dorje, deputy director of the local meteorological bureau, BeiDou meteorological equipment aboard the meteorological balloon operated stably with precise positioning and sound signal reception.

After 65 minutes passing through clouds, it beamed back meteorological data, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction and wind speed, from altitudes between 4,706 meters and 31,680 meters.

It combined ground and upper-air meteorological observation for the first time, effectively making up for the lack of high-altitude meteorological data on the Qiangtang Plateau.

The new station will also improve the accuracy of high-altitude observation networks in Xizang and enhance the monitoring of weather conditions such as thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rainfall across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

In June 2023, CMA rolled out a three-year action plan to upgrade meteorological sounding systems. It specified that the existing 120 rawinsonde stations will be equipped with the BeiDou system in batches and 11 new BeiDou meteorological observation stations will be built by 2025.

The BeiDou meteorological observation station in Baingoin County was approved in September 2023.