weather balloon

noun

, Meteorology.

1. sounding balloon.

weather balloon

1. A balloon used to carry instruments aloft to gather meteorological data in the atmosphere. Weather balloons are tracked by radar, Global Positioning System, or theodolites. The balloon itself usually contains devices to measure temperature, pressure and humidity, although it can contain specialized devices to measure the ozone in the ozone layer. Filled with hydrogen or helium gas, weather balloons can reach 35 km (22 mi) in altitude before disintegrating due to the decreased pressure of the lower stratosphere.

Word History and Origins

Origin of weather balloon¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Last night, a weather balloon was sent up.

From BBC

China responded angrily, saying it was only a weather balloon that had blown off course and called its downing a major overreaction.

From Seattle Times

China claimed the aircraft was a weather balloon that had been blown off-course, but the U.S. said it was carrying sophisticated intelligence-gathering technology.

From Seattle Times

Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told the outlet that the craft was a weather balloon that had flown off-course.

From Washington Times

China responded angrily, saying it was only a weather balloon that had blown off course and called its downing a major overreaction.

From Washington Times