Context: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has slashed its weather balloon launches across the US after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut the government agency’s budget by 25%. This raises serious concerns among meteorologists worldwide about forecasting accuracy and data reliability.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to weather balloons, Applications of weather balloons.
What are Weather Balloons ?
- Large balloons used by weather agencies across the world to make upper air observations that are crucial for weather forecasts. They are made of latex or synthetic rubber and filled with a gas like helium or hydrogen.
- Weather balloons carry instruments called radiosondes into the upper atmosphere. These instruments measure and transmit real-time data on temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction.
- Weather balloons can rise up to 35 km into the atmosphere. As they ascend, the surrounding air pressure decreases, causing the balloon to expand and eventually burst. The radiosonde then falls back to Earth.
- They are launched twice daily from hundreds of stations worldwide at the same time (0000 and 1200 UTC), as part of a global program coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation.
- The India Meteorological Department also uses weather balloons to measure meteorological variables.
Significance of Weather Balloons
- Crucial for Upper-Air Observations: Weather balloons measure conditions in the upper atmosphere (above 5000 feet), where most weather originates.
- Accurate Weather Forecasting: Provide real-time vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind. Upper-atmosphere data gathered by balloons is essential to predict surface weather patterns like rain, drought, and temperature changes.
- Essential for Climate and Weather Research: Data from balloons contributes to the study of climate change, El Niño, and other weather phenomena.
- Synchronised global atmospheric picture: About 900 stations worldwide launch balloons twice daily (0000 and 1200 UTC) to create a synchronised global atmospheric picture.
- Data from the ‘Weather-Critical’ Middle Atmosphere: Fill the observational gap between surface measurements and satellite data, particularly in the troposphere and lower stratosphere.
NOAA’s slashing of its weather balloon launches has made experts across the world concerned. They believe the move will severely impact weather forecasts as seen in Russia’s 2015 reduction that affected European models.