A weather balloon is a balloon that carries measuring instruments to collect atmospheric data for weather forecasting.
A weather balloon, also known as a radiosonde, is launched to high altitudes, carrying instruments to measure pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The data is transmitted to a ground station and used to build weather forecasting models. These balloons are typically filled with helium or hydrogen and are a long-standing, accepted meteorological measurement tool, not a manned aircraft.
Weather balloons are sometimes mentioned as a possible explanation for unidentified objects in the sky, but mere resemblance does not confirm that an object is a balloon. In Israel, their operation is subject to safety restrictions, including a minimum distance of 150 meters from the cloud base, ground visibility of more than 5 kilometers, and winds not exceeding approximately 46 km/h.
In rare cases, a balloon found after landing may be partially inflated and could contain flammable hydrogen. Meteorological services note that their purpose is to collect atmospheric data for weather forecasting and monitoring.
It measures pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed in the atmosphere. The data is transmitted to a ground station.
Typically helium or hydrogen, depending on the system and purpose.
No. It is an unmanned meteorological measurement tool.
No. A weather balloon is a possible explanation, but without verification, the object's source cannot be determined.