INDIANAPOLIS — After a massive balloon suspected of being used by China was found over the United States last week, WRTV is learning more about how balloons that look similar are used to help with forecasting.
Dozens of real weather balloons are sent up twice a day from National Weather Service offices around the United States.
"They're small," said NWS meteorologist Ted Funk. "Nothing like the one that's been in the news."
U.S. officials say the balloon that flew over the United States was 200 feet tall.
The balloon was roughly the size of an airport control tower and “probably" weighed "in excess of a couple thousand pounds,” according to Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command.
Across the country, roughly 90 balloons launch just before 6 a.m. and again just before 6 p.m., according to Funk.
The wind carries the small aircraft, and the balloon expands as it rises.
"It has instrumentation on it that gives us temperature, humidity, pressure, wind direction, wind speed — things of that nature," said Funk.
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis does not launch balloons, but the closest stations that do conduct launches are located just north of Cincinnati, Ohio and near Springfield, Illinois.
WRTV meteorologist Todd Klaassen says the balloons are in the air for only a couple of hours.
"Essentially they get to a certain height, usually around 60,000 feet and then they just pop," Klaassen said.
The radiosonde, which is the small data-collection device connected to the balloon, slowly falls back down to the earth with a little parachute.
Klaassen says these weather-data collection balloons only travel short distances and do not span several states.
The Chinese balloon was spotted over Montana and later downed off the Carolina coast.
RELATED: ‘Derelict balloon’: Air traffic control recordings hear pilots spot Chinese spy balloon | US Navy recovers Chinese spy balloon in Atlantic after it was shot down
-
Could Brownsburg become a city? Petition gains traction, Town Council weighs in
A petition to explore Brownsburg’s transition to a city is gaining attention, while town leaders stress no formal proposal has been submitted and outline what such a change could entail.
Teens accused of breaking into Indianapolis vape shop, lead police on chase
Police say three teenagers, including two 14-year-olds, were arrested after breaking into a southside Indianapolis vape shop and leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase early Monday morning.
Trash transition in Indianapolis brings delays, leaves old bins behind
At the start of 2026, trash collection in Indianapolis switched to a new vendor, Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS).
Tamika Catchings rejoins Pacers Sports & Entertainment as ambassador
Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Tuesday that Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings will rejoin the organization in a newly created role as an ambassador.
