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 Montanaand 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
-
Tickets on sale now as Pacers Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals
Exciting news, Pacers fans! Tickets are officially on sale for the Indiana Pacers’ Eastern Conference Semifinals showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wawa to celebrate three grand openings in Indiana this May
Wawa, Inc. is excited to announce the grand opening of three new locations in Indiana this May. The company plans to open up to ten stores across Indiana this year.
Potential tariffs impacting car sales, is renting cheap
It's the usual time people start buying cars for the warmer season, but experts say some of the increased sales are due to potential tariffs that would increase the price of a car by 25 percent.
IMSA North senior collects nearly $1 million in college scholarship offers
A graduating senior from Indiana Math and Science Academy North has been awarded nearly $1 million in scholarship offers from 15 colleges and universities nationwide.
