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
Tropics: Atlantic Waking Up This Week

Tropics: Atlantic Waking Up This Week

Tropical activity in the Atlantic has been of

11 Aug 2025 3:00 AM
Severe Storms & Flooding Target the Midwest

Severe Storms & Flooding Target the Midwest

Up to 10 inches of rain created flash floodin

11 Aug 2025 2:00 AM
More Storms Along the Front Range

More Storms Along the Front Range

Monsoon driven thunderstorms are likely Sunda

11 Aug 2025 2:00 AM
Tropical Downpours Target the Southeast

Tropical Downpours Target the Southeast

Flash flooding continues to hit the Southeast

11 Aug 2025 1:50 AM
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tuesday Night - How to Watch

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tuesday Night - How to Watch

Get a blanket and find some dark skies! One o

11 Aug 2025 12:30 AM
CSU, NOAA UPDATE Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

CSU, NOAA UPDATE Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

Thursday, NOAA issued an update to their outl

10 Aug 2025 7:50 AM
Possible Derecho Hit the Upper-Midwest Friday Morning

Possible Derecho Hit the Upper-Midwest Friday Morning

Another intense night of severe storms ripped

9 Aug 2025 3:15 AM