The Science Behind Weather Balloons

Weather balloons contain sondes which are important instruments used to improve weather forecasts by collecting data about the atmosphere. Some of the data that the sonde collects as it is lifted high up into the atmosphere by the balloon is temperature, wind, humidity, and pressure. Weather balloons are especially useful when forecasting severe weather because it can indicate whether the atmosphere is conducive for hail, damaging winds, and/or tornadoes. Two times a day and every twelve hours, a weather balloon is launched from every National Weather Service (NWS) Office around the country. As these balloons increase in altitude, the balloon builds up pressure and eventually bursts, usually at a higher altitude than what aircraft fly at. Before this happens, the sonde collects data and transmits it back to the NWS office. Now you know the science behind weather balloons!