Weather balloons help solve climate puzzle in Alaska

William Wells releases a weather balloon on Alaska’s St. Paul Island. (John Ryan photo)
Around the world, twice a day, every day, more than 700 weather balloons launch into the air. Fourteen of those balloons are released across Alaska, tracking things like temperature, humidity and wind speed.
They provide a wealth of information for people like Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist in Anchorage. Alaska’s Energy Desk is checking in with him regularly as part of a new segment, Ask A