Severe Thunderstorms in the East Sunday; Excessive Heat Lingers in the Southern U.S. and Returning to California

Scattered damaging winds from severe thunderstorms will be possible across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States Sunday. Excessive heat will continue over the southern U.S. Sunday before another round of heat arrives Monday through the central and southern U.S. spreading into the East by Independence Day. California will see excessive heat starting Tuesday. Read More >

The Denver Radiosonde (Weather Balloon) Will Miss Launches Until Further Notice

Due to worldwide shortages in the supply of Helium, the Denver Radiosonde will miss launches until further notice. Located south of I-70 just west of Havana, the Denver upper air balloon launch site has been providing twice daily vertical profiles of weather observations since 1956. Helium is the lifting gas used at the Denver upper air site, and with a limited local supply, there is not enough helium to continue launching balloons. If and when more helium is available, balloon launches will continue. Stay turned to our webpage for updates on the evolving situation.

Denver is one of 12 National Weather Service upper air balloon launch sites that relies on helium as the lifting gas. The vast majority of sites use hydrogen to lift the balloons. For more information on the helium shortage and impact to balloon launches across the U.S., please see the Public Information Statement from April 2022:

Public Notification Statement

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

BOU RSS Feed

Severe Thunderstorms in the East Sunday; Excessive Heat Lingers in the Southern U.S. and Returning to California

Denver Weather Balloon Helium Shortage