Explained: The Albuquerque Box
Updated: 3:41 PM MDT Sep 27, 2022
Explained: The Albuquerque Box
Updated: 3:41 PM MDT Sep 27, 2022
METEOROLOGIST BYRON MORTON EXPLAINS THE ALBUQUERQUE BOX. THE ALBUQUERQUE BOX IS A UNIQUE PHENOMENON THAT CAN BE CREDITED TO THE SPECIFIC TOPOGRAPHY OF THE ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY. THAT’S BECAUSE THE ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY IS SLOPED WITH THE NORTH, THE VALLEY AT ABOUT 100 FEET HIGHER THAN THE SOUTH END OF THE VALLEY. SO ON CALM, CLEAR NIGHTS, THE GROUND COOLS THE AIR NEAR THE GROUND. THAT COOL AIR TENDS TO FLOW SOUTHWARD DOWN SLOPE, CREATING WHAT WE CALL A NORTHERLY DRAIN AS WIND AS A BALLOONIST LIFTS OFF FROM BALLOON FIESTA PARK. IT CATCHES NORTHERLY DRAINAGE WIND AND FLOWS IN A SOUTHWARD DIRECTION AS THE BALLOON IS FIRES UP THEIR BURNER AND LIFTS HIGHER UP IN ALTITUDE DUE TO CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS. IT CAN CATCH A STEADILY WIND PUSHING THE BALLOON BACK TO THE NORTH AND THEN ONCE THE BALLOON IS CAN LET OFF BURNER AND SOMETIMES SETTLE THE EXACT LOCATION. THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF FROM CREATING
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Explained: The Albuquerque Box
Updated: 3:41 PM MDT Sep 27, 2022
When balloons launch into the sky each morning of Balloon Fiesta, pilots hope for what's called the "Albuquerque Box."The Albuquerque Box is a wind pattern that sets up during the morning hours of Balloon Fiesta, mainly during October.In the early morning, during launch, winds at a lower flight level push balloons to the south toward the city. As balloons rise in altitude, upper-level winds will then carry balloons back to the north.Balloonists hope for this pattern every morning because they can take off from Balloon Fiesta Park and sometimes land back at the park.
When balloons launch into the sky each morning of Balloon Fiesta, pilots hope for what's called the "Albuquerque Box."
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The Albuquerque Box is a wind pattern that sets up during the morning hours of Balloon Fiesta, mainly during October.
In the early morning, during launch, winds at a lower flight level push balloons to the south toward the city. As balloons rise in altitude, upper-level winds will then carry balloons back to the north.
Balloonists hope for this pattern every morning because they can take off from Balloon Fiesta Park and sometimes land back at the park.
