Weather balloon

One of the first people to use weather balloons was the French meteorologist Léon Teisserenc de Bort. Starting in 1896 he launched hundreds of weather balloons from his observatory in Trappes, France. These experiments led to his discovery of the tropopause and stratosphere. These early weather balloons carried self-recording instruments that would be recovered upon landing, allowing researchers to atmospheric profiles from higher than ever before. During the early 20th century, weather balloons expanded to broader upper-atmosphere research, investigating ozone, cosmic rays, and stratospheric circulation. Weather balloon observatories were established worldwide across Europe, North America, and Asia. The technology advanced even further in the 1920s through the invention of radiosondes, instruments which could relay real-time measurements of temperature, pressure, and humidity through radio signals. The drone technology boom has led to the development of weather drones since the late 1990s. These drones offered the potential for precise, targeted measurements in areas and weather that would be impossible for balloons. == Materials and equipment ==

The balloon itself produces the lift, and is usually made of a highly flexible latex material, though chloroprene may also be used. Weather balloons may reach altitudes of or more, limited by diminishing pressures causing the balloon to expand to such a degree (typically by a 100:1 factor) that it disintegrates. In this instance the instrument package is usually lost, although a parachute may be employed to help in allowing retrieval of the instrument. Above that altitude sounding rockets are used to carry instruments aloft, and for even higher altitudes satellites are used. == Launch time, location, and uses ==

Upper Air station, Nunavut, Canada Weather balloons are launched around the world for observations used to diagnose current conditions as well as by human forecasters and computer models for weather forecasting. Between 900 and 1,300 locations around the globe do routine releases, two or four times daily, usually at 0000 UTC and 1200 UTC. Aerospace and rocket launch support Weather balloons are also used as atmospheric sounding systems to assist with rocket launches. In a test performed by the Lukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation a balloon sounding system was used to assist the ILR-33 Amber sub-orbital rocket. In a series of test launches in 2019, the system acquired atmospheric data such as information on vertical wind profile in real time that was used in pre-launch procedures for the rocket. Weather balloons have also been adapted as drifting platforms in chemistry and air quality research. Instead of ascending rapidly through the air, these systems are designed to drift with air masses, measuring trace gases, aerosols, and other chemical constituents in the lower troposphere. These balloons are useful in pollution research to examine transport, mixing, and chemical transformation of pollutants along moving air parcels. In a recent study, researchers launched a weather balloon carrying live microorganisms to investigate how exposure to these conditions affected cell survivability. These missions provide a cheaper alternative to orbital spaceflight experiments. ==Potential issues==

Aviation In 1970, an Antonov 24 operating Aeroflot Flight 1661 suffered a loss of control after striking a radiosonde in flight, resulting in the death of all 45 people on board. On 16 October 2025, a United Airlines flight collided with a weather balloon at cruising altitude over Utah, fracturing its windshield, releasing shards of glass into the cockpit that injured the captain's right arm, and causing an emergency descent and diversion. The NTSB has begun an investigation, and the company behind the weather balloon has taken measures to reduce future risk. Coverage and observational gaps Regions such as Africa, South America, the Southern Ocean, and the Antarctic are particularly underrepresented for weather balloon observations. This means if a balloon bursts prematurely or insufficient ascent height is reached the upwards extent of temperature and humidity measurements will be limited, which is a big issue for climate networks like GRUAN that rely on this information. Weather balloons, after reaching an altitude of approximately 35 kilometers, burst, releasing their instruments and the latex material they are made of. While the instruments are often recovered, the latex remains in the environment, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Studies have shown that a substantial portion of weather balloons eventually end up in the ocean. For instance, one Australian researcher collected over 2,460 pieces of weather balloon debris from the Great Barrier Reef, estimating that up to 300 balloons per week may be released into the marine environment. This environmental impact underscores the need for sustainable alternatives in weather data collection. Scientists and environmentalists have raised concerns about weather balloons' environmental impact. The latex material, which can persist in the ocean for extended periods, can harm marine life, including sea turtles, birds, and fish. Efforts to minimize the environmental impact of weather balloons include developing biodegradable materials and improved recovery methods. However, the continued reliance on weather balloons for meteorological data challenges balancing the need for accurate weather forecasts with environmental sustainability. == See also ==