Flying High with NWS

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Up, Up, and Away - Flying High with NWS Weather Balloons with Jeff Orrock, NOAA's National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA

NOAA launches weather balloons twice a day across the entire country. Weather balloons, also known as sounding balloons, are a special type of high-altitude balloon carrying instruments to near the edge of space. They send back information on atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed by means of a small, expendable measuring device called a radiosonde. Meet meteorologist Jeff Orrock and learn how weather balloons collect information to help forecasters predict the weather in your community and what you can do if you find one.  This webinar will be recorded and posted here (with English captions and Spanish subtitles) after going live.  (Grades 2-8 but all ages will enjoy)  »  View recorded webinar (subtitles available in English and Spanish)

Resources to access at home:

»  National Weather Service Kids Corner:  Weather balloons page including a video of a weather balloon launch.
»  National Weather Service Education Page: Weather science, games, weather safety, and careers for kids, parents, and teachers.
»  UCAR Center for Science Education:  Explore the atmosphere by launching virtual weather balloons.
»  UCAR Center for Science Education: Learn more about weather balloons.
»  NOAA's JetStream - An Online School for Weather: This has downloadable posters about clouds and weather, information about the atmosphere, global weather, and many more topics.
»  NOAA's SciJinks - It's All About Weather:  This is for educators and students.  You'll find games, information, classroom activities, videos, and more.