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
Another Round of Storms for the Northeast

Another Round of Storms for the Northeast

NORTHEAST - This summer has brought many rain

6 Aug 2026 1:55 AM
Spokane Area Fires: Some Containment

Spokane Area Fires: Some Containment

SPOKANE, WA - On Saturday, August 1st, the Ol

6 Aug 2026 1:50 AM
Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

A large area of high pressure continues to br

6 Aug 2026 1:45 AM
Haboob Blows Through Phoenix; More Possible

Haboob Blows Through Phoenix; More Possible

Storms packed quite the punch on Monday night

6 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
CSU Updates Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast for 2026

CSU Updates Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast for 2026

Each year, Colorado State University's Tropic

6 Aug 2026 12:00 AM
Cold Front Brings Storms and Cool Down

Cold Front Brings Storms and Cool Down

Temperatures are feeling cooler across the pl

5 Aug 2026 7:30 PM
After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

PacificGenevieve formed last Friday south of

3 Aug 2026 12:30 AM