Weather balloon is a very common weather instrument used for measuring and evaluating the upper atmospheric condition. Weather balloon is also known as sounding balloons. The core function of these Weather balloons are to carry the instruments high in the air and bring back several weather information including atmospheric temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. The miniature device used for this measurement is called a “radiosonde” which is an expandable measuring device. While in the air the activity of these Weather balloons can be tracked by several navigation systems, radar, radio direction finding, etc.

The Weather balloon is made of a highly flexible material known as “latex”. The radiosonde hangs at the end of the string attached to the main body of the Weather balloon. Weather balloons are usually filled with hydrogen or helium gas before they are released in the air. The amount of gas determines and controls the ascent of the balloon. The Weather balloon reaches the altitude of 25miles and above. A Weather balloon expands as it rises high and finally bursts before reaching 27,400 miles.

There are several types of Weather balloons used for gathering atmospheric information. A 39in diameter small balloon used for determining speed and direction of winds at various altitudes is known as “pilot balloon”. To find out the altitude of cloud bases a comparatively smaller ceiling balloon is used. To carry the radiosonde, a much larger teardrop shaped balloon is used.

There are several companies that manufacture Weather balloons. Totex Corporations and Cosmopren of Japan and Scientific Sales Inc. and Keymont of the United States are the two leading manufacturers of Weather balloon.