NWS Green Bay Forced To Stop Weather Balloon Launch

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WGBW) – Due to staffing cuts by the current federal administration, the morning launch has ended bringing potential trouble for forecasters.

In the last month, the National Weather Service has been forced to stop or reduce routine weather balloon launches at 14 of their approximately 100 sites across the country.

Yesterday, Green Bay was one of those sites added. Now, Green Bay NWS will only launch one balloon at 7 p.m. as they’re forced to cut the 7 a.m. daily launch.

Up to date NWS Sounding Network map https://t.co/lo9mZniHSN pic.twitter.com/4JPn3oA8Mn

— Chris Vagasky ⚡️ (@COweatherman) March 20, 2025

What do these balloons do? Well they gather data as they fly away, and beam atmospheric information back. It produces a fancy graph for us Meteorologists to then dissect and use for forecasting.

Not only does the NWS use this data but also emergency services and airports. Forecasters rely on these two time daily launches and have for the past 80 years.

It’s very important information specifically for forecasting tornadoes. It’s basically how to keep tabs on brewing storms. Other cuts made across the states include:

• Aberdeen, SD
• Grand Junction, CO
• Gaylord, MI
• North Platte, NE
• Riverton, WY