sääpallot

Sääpallot, often translated as weather balloons, are instruments used to gather meteorological data. They are typically large balloons made of rubber or neoprene that are filled with helium or hydrogen. These balloons are released into the atmosphere, carrying a small, lightweight instrument package called a radiosonde.

The radiosonde collects information about atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed and direction. This data is transmitted wirelessly to ground stations in real-time. The balloon ascends until it reaches an altitude where it can no longer withstand the atmospheric pressure or the gas inside expands too much, causing it to burst.

Once the balloon bursts, the radiosonde falls back to Earth, often with a small parachute to ensure a slower descent. While some radiosondes are designed to be recovered for reuse, many are single-use devices. The data collected by sääpallot is crucial for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and atmospheric research. They are launched regularly by meteorological agencies worldwide.