Weather balloons collect data on atmospheric weather conditions, including temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speeds. The instrument package is called a radiosonde and is usually made of latex or a similar material. Balloons are released at least twice a day and provide valuable data for weather forecasting and tracking trends.
A weather balloon is a scientific instrument used to collect data on atmospheric weather conditions. Some people also call these balloons “sounding balloons” because they pick up on the sounds of the atmosphere. This data is used in weather forecasting and to track general weather trends. Numerous agencies around the world release weather balloons daily and generally share the information they collect, in the interest of scientific cooperation.
A basic weather balloon will collect information about ambient temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity. Typically, this information will be collected during the balloon’s ascent and as it hovers in altitude. The data is sent back to Earth with transponders. This type of balloon can also be used to gather information about wind speeds and patterns, transmitting its geographic location to the Earth.
The package of instruments in a weather balloon is called a radiosonde. The first radiosondes appeared in the 1930s in Russia, and other nations quickly adopted the technology as well. Generally, a radiosonde is designed for multiple uses and will be salvaged upon its return to Earth. Instrument packages are lost from time to time, but data collected in flight has already been sent back to Earth. Radiosondes can also be launched from aircraft, in some cases, rather than being floated in a balloon.
The body of a weather balloon is usually made from latex or a similar flexible material. It is inflated with either hydrogen or helium, with varying levels of gas used, depending on how high the balloon is going. The radiosonde is suspended from the balloon on a sturdy string or rope, much like the basket in a hot air balloon. When the balloon reaches a certain altitude, it explodes and a parachute deploys to gently land the radiosonde on Earth. Scientists follow its positioning signal to recover it, if possible.
Most weather monitoring organizations release weather balloons at least twice a day and sometimes more frequently. Frequent releases are used when weather conditions change rapidly, suggesting a need for more data from the atmosphere. The data collected usually complements other forms of weather observation, such as weather satellites and ground observation, creating a complete picture of the weather situation for scientists. Weather stations keep extensive records of weather balloon data, allowing scientists to study weather patterns over many decades.
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