Warm Weather Draws Large Crowd for 2016 Meteorology Program Weather Balloon Launch at College of DuPage

College of DuPage Meteorology professors Victor Gensini and Paul Sirvatka (blue shirt) make final preparations before launching a weather balloon April 16 at the College's Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. The balloon, which travels approximately 12.5 miles into the atmosphere, allows meteorology students and faculty to track a variety of atmospheric conditions, including humidity, temperature, wind speed and direction, dew point, barometric pressure and atmospheric density, as well as trajectory data such as latitude, longitude, altitude and flight path. Attendees were able to view the data and watch the flight path in real-time via Google Maps and see a three-dimensional rendering of the flight path and altitude trajectory. In addition to the launch, the event also included a presentation on the Meteorology program, weather tracking and information on the College's storm chasing trips and equipment. Click here for more images. Another weather balloon launch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the College's inaugural STEM-CON, an interactive experience that offers 41 different booths with hands-on activities that demonstrate principles of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.