Dallas to Dexter: The Journey of a Weather Balloon

news image
Special Stories
22 Feb 2018 12:49 PM
How strong is the jet stream? Enough to take a standard National Weather Service upper-air observation balloon on a journey nearly a thousand miles! https://twitter.com/weatherdak/status/966741182532304896 Twice a day, every day NWS offices across the country launch radiosondes, or balloons with attached weather observing instruments. Scientists use the data collected as the balloon travels upwards in the atmosphere to build vertical profiles, which are essential to understanding the structure of weather systems. When collected at a large number of locations, upper-air observations help establish the initial conditions for computer models that forecast weather and climate conditions. On Thursday morning, the NWS office in Fort Worth, TX received word that one of their balloons got caught up in the powerful jet stream of the current storm system and traveled all the way to Dexter, MI. That's nearly 1,000 miles away! https://twitter.com/NWSFortWorth/status/966750854878564354 For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Karissa Klos.
All Weather News
More
Arctic Blast To Bring Freezing Air to Millions of Americans

Arctic Blast To Bring Freezing Air to Millions of Americans

Arctic air is set to take a deep dive into th

9 Nov 2025 2:05 PM
Weekend Severe Threat Across the South

Weekend Severe Threat Across the South

The much-anticipated cold front that will sla

9 Nov 2025 11:30 AM
Heavy Lake Effect Snow for the Great Lakes

Heavy Lake Effect Snow for the Great Lakes

The lake effect snow season has arrived, with

9 Nov 2025 3:05 AM
Midwest Clipper Brings Light Snow, Gusty Winds

Midwest Clipper Brings Light Snow, Gusty Winds

A system has been bringing snow across the Pl

8 Nov 2025 11:05 PM
Severe Storms Possible from Ohio to the Gulf Coast Friday and Saturday

Severe Storms Possible from Ohio to the Gulf Coast Friday and Saturday

Secondary severe weather season is underway a

8 Nov 2025 3:00 AM
Next Big Push of Moisture in the Northwest

Next Big Push of Moisture in the Northwest

A series of atmospheric rivers has been respo

6 Nov 2025 11:30 PM
Windy and Stormy Weather For The Northeast

Windy and Stormy Weather For The Northeast

NORTHEAST - The Storm Prediction Center has m

6 Nov 2025 2:10 AM