weather balloons

Sky-high data collectors

Weather balloons are large balloons sent into the atmosphere carrying instruments that measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind conditions at various altitudes.

The data transmits back to ground stations for weather forecasting.

They rise until atmospheric pressure causes them to burst, then the instruments parachute down.

In popular culture, weather balloons have become a cliché explanation for UFO sightings: The government said it was just a weather balloon.

Related

barometers · atmospheric pressure · burst · storm tracking · buoyancy · thermistors · tracking device · ozone layer · helium gas · climate monitoring · altitude · wind · ascent · inflation · latex · gondola · floating · sonde

Categories
Opposites
altitude/observation platform

weather balloonsweather satellites

Orbital climate observation platforms

satellites · space stations

mobility/groundedness

weather balloonsweather stations

Facilities measuring atmospheric conditions

ground stations · rain gauges · anemometers

Family

weather, balloon, weathered, balloons, ballooning, weathering, weathers, ballooned, weatherman

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G