Weather magic behind Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta revealed by KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez

I’m doing something a little different in today’s newsletter: Some of you may already know that I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and this time of year, it’s absolutely magical.

The skies come alive with hundreds of hot air balloons floating over the city during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Even if you’ve lived there your whole life, you never get tired of waking up to a sky splashed with color.

What I didn’t realize until I became a meteorologist is just how unique the weather pattern in Albuquerque is this time of year. It’s called the “Albuquerque Box.”

Here’s how it works: early in the morning, light winds near the surface blow from the north, carrying balloons south. But as the balloons climb higher, the winds shift, now blowing from the south and sending them back north. By carefully adjusting altitude, heating the air to rise or venting to descend, pilots can literally steer their balloons in a loop, often landing right back near where they took off!

The pattern is so reliable that organizers even hold ring toss contests for pilots as they return to the launch field. It’s part science, part art, and all magic, one of those times when weather and wonder come together perfectly.

The illustration below is by Freddie A. Pagani for Physics Today.

The science behind the Albuquerque Box:

Albuquerque has a one-of-a-kind landscape; the city sits in a broad valley tucked between two mountain ranges. In the fall, that geography helps create something truly special. As night falls, cool air drains down the mountainsides into the valley below. Meteorologists call this a drainage wind, and it’s what helps set the stage for the famous “Albuquerque Box.”

Here’s what’s happening: when that cool air settles near the ground overnight, it chills the surface while the air just above remains warmer. That setup creates what’s known as a temperature inversion, basically a layer of warm air sitting on top of cooler air near the ground. It doesn’t last long; just a few hours in the early morning, but it’s enough to create a weather pattern that allows hot air balloons to drift one direction and then back again. Once the sun warms the ground, the inversion disappears and so does the Box.

Of course, the Box doesn’t show up every morning during the Balloon Fiesta. Strong winds or cloudy nights can break the setup. But even on those days, watching hundreds of colorful balloons, some shaped like animals, cartoon characters, and even houses, rise into the deep blue New Mexico sky is incredible.

My one and only balloon ride:

Back in college, I worked at Fox Photo, a company that doesn’t exist anymore thanks to the rise of digital photography. But back in the day, people would drop off rolls of 35mm film, and I’d develop and print their pictures.

One year, Fox Photo was the major sponsor of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which was fitting as it’s the most photographed event in the world. That year, they even had their own balloon, and as a thank-you to employees, they offered us free hot air balloon rides before the Fiesta officially kicked off. You can bet I jumped at the chance!

Floating above Albuquerque was absolutely breathtaking, like riding in an elevator that had a mind of its own. But then came the landing. Balloon pilots are at the mercy of the wind, and as we descended, I noticed we were picking up speed. That couldn’t be good. My coworkers and I exchanged nervous glances, but before we could say anything, the pilot shouted, “Hang on!”

What followed felt like something out of a cartoon: the gondola tipped sideways, scraped the ground, popped back into the air, and did it all over again. By the time we stopped, the basket was on its side, my hands and arms were scratched and bleeding. The pilot looked at us with a grin and said, “Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.” We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so we did a bit of both.

The last time we went to the Balloon Fiesta, my daughter wanted to take her own flight. My childhood friend Ted Maes, who used to be on the flight safety team, helped pair her with an excellent pilot. Her flight was smooth, and she had the kind of soft landing I wish I’d had!

Ted is now the cohost of Balloon Fiesta Live, so if you want to experience the magic yourself, you can watch the mass ascension this Saturday and Sunday [here].

If you’ve never been to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, you have to go at least once. It’s held every year during the first week of October, and trust me, you won’t regret it. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere in the world.

Here’s your must-do list once you’re there:

• Weekend Mass Ascension: This is the big one, hundreds of balloons lifting off together as the sun rises. The sights and sounds are unforgettable.
• Weekday Special Shapes Ascension: This is pure fun! Balloons shaped like animals, houses, cartoon characters, and yes, even pop culture icons fill the sky.
• Night Balloon Glow (Glowdeo): Balloons stay tethered to the ground and light up in unison after dark. It’s like watching giant lanterns pulse and shimmer against the night sky.

My personal favorite? The Darth Vader balloon. And, of course, Yoda isn’t far behind. The best part is the support crew, Stormtroopers, and other Star Wars characters holding the lines to keep Vader steady before takeoff. It’s as if the galaxy itself showed up to help out.

And if you make a weeklong trip out of it, don’t stop with the Balloon Fiesta! Santa Fe is an absolute must-see, from its adobe architecture and art galleries to the amazing food scene. And if you’re up for a short road trip, take the three-hour drive north to visit the Taos Pueblo. It’s the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States and a truly remarkable place to experience.

Here’s the story I put together for KPRC 2 News on my last visit, just click the image below to watch.

If you’ve been to the balloon fiesta, I’d love to see your pictures. Please tag me at @kprc2anthony on Facebook, Instagram, or X.