Weather balloons witness Lhasa’s remarkable transformation

Lhasa Meteorological Station in southwest China launched a weather balloon daily at 07:15, a routine maintained for over 50 years. Veteran meteorologist Tsering Dekyi carried out this task for 26 years with precise timing, which was critical for accurate data collection.

The balloons gathered atmospheric data and captured images showing Lhasa’s changing skyline, blending ancient temples with modern infrastructure. Since the 1970s, these launches documented the city’s growth from farmland to a regional hub with new highways, residential areas, and solar farms. The data collected provided real-time updates on the atmosphere above one of Asia’s fastest-developing cities.