TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
WEATHER BALLOON [7 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2022-09-26
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Weather Stations and Meteorological Instruments and Equipment
- Special-Language Phraseology
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- release
1, record 1, English, release
correct, verb
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Researchers often release weather balloons at a variety of points during a storm to record any changes that might be occurring. Once it's released, the helium-filled balloon rises steadily and the instruments transmit data to the scientists’ computers. 2, record 1, English, - release
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Stations, instruments et équipements météorologiques
- Phraséologie des langues de spécialité
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- lâcher
1, record 1, French, l%C3%A2cher
correct, verb
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le ballon-sonde est lâché au niveau du sol et s'élève dans l'atmosphère grâce au gaz léger qu'il contient (hélium ou hydrogène). Il est équipé d'une radiosonde, un ensemble d'instruments qui enregistrent la température, l'humidité et la pression de l'air à différentes hauteurs. 2, record 1, French, - l%C3%A2cher
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - external organization data 2021-03-18
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Compartment – Nomenclature 4.0
- Museums and Heritage (General)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- weather balloon
1, record 2, English, weather%20balloon
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
weather balloon : an item in the "Meteorological Tools and Equipment" class of the "Tools and Equipment for Science and Technology" category. 2, record 2, English, - weather%20balloon
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Tiroir – Nomenclature 4.0
- Muséologie et patrimoine (Généralités)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- ballon sonde météorologique
1, record 2, French, ballon%20sonde%20m%C3%A9t%C3%A9orologique
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
ballon sonde météorologique : objet de la classe «Outils et équipement météorologiques» de la catégorie «Outillage et équipement pour les sciences et la technologie». 2, record 2, French, - ballon%20sonde%20m%C3%A9t%C3%A9orologique
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2015-08-27
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Air Safety
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- destruction of airborne hazardous objects 1, record 3, English, destruction%20of%20airborne%20hazardous%20objects
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- destruction of airborne objects 3, record 3, English, destruction%20of%20airborne%20objects
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Possible airborne hazards could include, but are not limited to, objects such as an uncontrollable weather balloon, unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) or an aircraft in which the crew has lost control due to incapacitation or an unruly flight crew member jeopardizing the safety of the aircraft. Airborne hazards that consist of decaying satellites or other "space junk" re-entering the earth's atmosphere are included. 4, record 3, English, - destruction%20of%20airborne%20hazardous%20objects
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Sécurité (Transport aérien)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- destruction d’objets volants dangereux
1, record 3, French, destruction%20d%26rsquo%3Bobjets%20volants%20dangereux
feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
- DAHO 2, record 3, French, DAHO
feminine noun
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2015-03-12
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Statistical Graphs and Diagrams
- Meteorological Forecasting, Data Measurement and Analysis
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- pilot balloon plotting board
1, record 4, English, pilot%20balloon%20plotting%20board
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A board upon which the horizontal trajectory of a pilot-balloon is plotted and the wind speeds and directions determined. 2, record 4, English, - pilot%20balloon%20plotting%20board
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Pilot Balloon-Meteorological Plotting Board. Observations of a pilot balloon ascent, made by a theodolite are solved for wind speed and direction by graphical means using a plotting board. This method was used in the United States military and civilian weather services until the wide spread adoption of computer programs for solving the sightings. This board is used with a standard slide rule as opposed to the U. K. Met. Office Pilot Balloon Slide Rule. 3, record 4, English, - pilot%20balloon%20plotting%20board
Record 4, Key term(s)
- pilot balloon meteorological plotting board
- pilot-balloon plotting board
- pilot-balloon meteorological plotting board
- pibal plotting board
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Diagrammes et graphiques (Statistique)
- Prévisions météorologiques et mesure et analyse des données
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- graphique de dépouillement
1, record 4, French, graphique%20de%20d%C3%A9pouillement
masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Graphique sur lequel on reporte la trajectoire horizontale d'un ballon-pilote et on détermine les directions et les vitesses du vent. 2, record 4, French, - graphique%20de%20d%C3%A9pouillement
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2010-03-11
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Weather Stations and Meteorological Instruments and Equipment
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- pilot-balloon slide rule
1, record 5, English, pilot%2Dballoon%20slide%20rule
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- pilot balloon slide rule 2, record 5, English, pilot%20balloon%20slide%20rule
correct
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Special slide-rule used for calculating upper-air winds from pilot-balloon observations. 3, record 5, English, - pilot%2Dballoon%20slide%20rule
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Pilot Balloon slide rules... were used by meteorologists in the weather services and military units of the United Kingdom to determine the upper wind velocities from an ascending hydrogen or helium filled Pilot Balloon... The position of the Pilot Balloon is tracked by means of one or two theodolites at one minute intervals. The Pilot Balloon slide rule is used to convert the observed azimuth and elevation readings into wind velocity and direction records. The use of slide rules and plotting boards was abandoned with the wide spread adoption of computers and programs to do the calculations, as well as the decline in the use of optical pilot balloon theodolites. 2, record 5, English, - pilot%2Dballoon%20slide%20rule
Record 5, Key term(s)
- pilot-balloon slide-rule
- pilot balloon slide-rule
- pibal slide-rule
- pibal slide rule
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Stations, instruments et équipements météorologiques
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- règle à calcul pour ballon-pilote
1, record 5, French, r%C3%A8gle%20%C3%A0%20calcul%20pour%20ballon%2Dpilote
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Règle à calcul spéciale utilisée pour le calcul des vents en altitude à partir d'observations de ballon-pilote. 1, record 5, French, - r%C3%A8gle%20%C3%A0%20calcul%20pour%20ballon%2Dpilote
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2010-03-11
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Types of Aircraft
- Weather Stations and Meteorological Instruments and Equipment
- Range Measurements (Telecommunications)
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- free balloon
1, record 6, English, free%20balloon
correct, standardized
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- free-floating balloon 2, record 6, English, free%2Dfloating%20balloon
correct
- free-flying balloon 3, record 6, English, free%2Dflying%20balloon
correct
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A balloon which can be made to ascend by the use of ballast and to descend by the release of gas but which cannot be guided in flight. 4, record 6, English, - free%20balloon
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Balloons can be captive, free-floating, or powered. ... A free-floating balloon travels wherever it is blown by the wind. The balloon pilot can control the vertical movement of a piloted, free-floating balloon but cannot steer it. However, the pilot can control the course of a balloon flight to some degree by rising or descending into a layer of wind that is blowing in the desired direction. 5, record 6, English, - free%20balloon
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 CONT
... a weather balloon is a helium-inflated balloon that is launched several times a day and carries instruments that take critical readings... temperature, dew point and relative humidity, wind speed and direction in the atmosphere. The balloon can be tethered to the ground, or it can be a free-flying balloon. 6, record 6, English, - free%20balloon
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
free balloon: term standardized by ISO. 7, record 6, English, - free%20balloon
Record 6, Key term(s)
- free flying balloon
- free floating balloon
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Types d'aéronefs
- Stations, instruments et équipements météorologiques
- Mesures à distance (Télécommunications)
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- ballon libre
1, record 6, French, ballon%20libre
correct, masculine noun, standardized
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- globe aérostatique 2, record 6, French, globe%20a%C3%A9rostatique
masculine noun
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le ballon libre. [...] En montant, le ballon traverse des couches atmosphériques de masse volumique décroissante; la force ascensionnelle diminue, et il finit par atteindre une position d'équilibre; pour continuer à monter, il faut alléger le ballon: l'aéronaute jette alors du lest. S'il veut descendre, il laisse échapper du gaz en ouvrant la soupape. 3, record 6, French, - ballon%20libre
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 CONT
La montgolfière a été le premier moyen de transport inventé par l'homme pour se déplacer dans les airs. [...] Le ballon libre, appelé alors «globe aérostatique» ne trouvait guère d'utilité, car il se contentait de dériver au gré du vent. C'est donc à diriger les ballons, c'est-à-dire les conduire, que l'on va travailler, mais il faudra un siècle pour y parvenir. 2, record 6, French, - ballon%20libre
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 3 CONT
radiosondage [...] L'ensemble de l'équipage est transporté dans l'atmosphère par un ballon libre gonflé à l'hydrogène ou à l'hélium avec une vitesse ascensionnelle voisine de cinq mètres par seconde. 4, record 6, French, - ballon%20libre
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 4 CONT
En 1850, deux Français, Barral et Bixio, quittent le sol en ballon libre [...] et s'élèvent à l'altitude de 7 050 mètres. 5, record 6, French, - ballon%20libre
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
ballon libre : terme normalisé par l'ISO. 6, record 6, French, - ballon%20libre
Record 6, Key term(s)
- montgolfière libre
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Tipos de aeronaves
- Estaciones, instrumentos y equipos meteorológicos
- Medidas de distancia (Telecomunicaciones)
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- globo libre
1, record 6, Spanish, globo%20libre
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2010-03-11
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Weather Stations and Meteorological Instruments and Equipment
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- tethered sonde
1, record 7, English, tethered%20sonde
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A radiosonde carried by a balloon rising at a few meters per second does not measure such inversions accurately because the response time of the thermistor is several seconds. To quantify this error, we flew a radiosonde on a tethered kite on several occasions in winter at South Pole Station immediately prior to the routine launch of the same sonde on a weather balloon. In all cases, the equilibrated temperatures measured by the tethered sonde at a given pressure level were higher than those from the balloon-borne sonde throughout most of the inversion layer. Assuming that the tethered sonde data represent the true atmospheric temperature profile, a procedure can be developed to correct the temperature data from routine radiosonde soundings for the finite response time of the thermistor. 1, record 7, English, - tethered%20sonde
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Stations, instruments et équipements météorologiques
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- sonde captive 1, record 7, French, sonde%20captive
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Sur le modèle de «ballon captif». 1, record 7, French, - sonde%20captive
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 2 OBS
ballon captif : aérostat retenu par un câble. 2, record 7, French, - sonde%20captive
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: