ZACHARY – Most people see a hot air balloon and think fun! But for the pilots behind those colorful giants in the sky, it’s all about science—and a lot of weather forecasting.

Storm Station Meteorologist Emma Kate Cowan caught up with a local hot air balloon pilot during this week’s 2 Your Town stop in Zachary to find out what it takes to safely launch and land a balloon.

Before liftoff, crews inflate the balloon with cold air on the ground. Then, heat is added, causing the balloon to rise—thanks to one simple principle: hot air rises.

Once in the sky, the real challenge begins. Balloons don’t have steering wheels—they rely on wind currents. Pilots use small weather balloons, called “pi balls,” to test wind direction before flight. From there, they steer by changing altitude, catching different wind currents at different heights.

And timing is everything - morning flights are often the safest, thanks to calm winds and cooler temperatures around sunrise. Pilots avoid midday takeoffs to steer clear of thermals—strong pockets of rising air that can make balloons climb uncontrollably.

"If the weather’s not good, we don’t fly," the pilot emphasized. "We depend on Mother Nature."

With ideal conditions and a careful eye on the forecast, pilots can lift off safely and give us all a peaceful view from above! 

Get the latest 7-day forecast and real-time weather updates HERE.

Watch live news HERE.

– Emma Kate C.

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