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Identification
A weather balloon is a thin, plastic, helium-filled balloon released into the sky along with instruments that collect information about upper-air conditions high in the atmosphere.
Uses
Weather balloons are used by meteorologists and amateur scientists alike to predict weather, study weather patterns and learn about the atmosphere's function.
Function
USA Today notes that weather balloons carry specialized probes called radiosondes, which measure temperature, air pressure and humidity at a range of different altitudes. They may measure information during their ascent, or during a projected course of travel at a specific altitude. Information is relayed back to scientists through radio waves.
Types
According to Encyclopedia.com, small ceiling balloons are used to determine the altitude of cloud bases. Slightly larger pilot balloons are visually tracked by scientists and help determine wind speed and direction. The much larger teardrop-shaped balloons carry radiosondes high into the atmosphere.
Descent
Larger weather balloons reach heights of more than 90,000 feet before they burst and are gently lowered back to the ground by a small parachute.