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
-
Fishers' Police state-of-the-art forensics tech looks to improve public safety
The Fishers Police Department has launched a cutting-edge crime lab equipped with advanced forensic technology, designed to expedite investigations and enhance public safety.
Indy clinic begins Autism Diagnostic Evaluations to help cut down on wait times
A local clinic is providing a new service to help cut down on wait times for families seeking evaluations to find out if their child is on the autism spectrum.
Ball State ends DEI programs to comply with President Trump's executive order
Ball State University's board of trustees approved a resolution to revise or end policies and programs relating to DEI to comply with President Trump's executive order.
Bloomington utility workers have fixed dozens of water main breaks this year
City of Bloomington Utilities has repaired 32 water main breaks so far this year. A water main break in the Gentry neighborhood Wednesday led to a boil water advisory due to low water pressure.
