The National Weather Service bureau for Kansas City posted photos of the China spy balloon flying over Missouri Friday. This comes after the Pentagon refused to say where the balloon is over the U.S., other than to say it moving eastward over the center of the continental U.S. The NWS bureau declined to identify the balloon as the spy balloon, but said it is moving southeast over Missouri which tracks with the forecast TGP reported.
UPDATE: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) posted a statement criticizing the Biden administration for not warning his state. (Statement at end of article.)
“We have had several reports across northwest MO of a large balloon visible on the horizon. It is now visible from our office in Pleasant Hill and the KC Metro. We have confirmed that it is not an NWS weather balloon.”
We have had several reports across northwest MO of a large balloon visible on the horizon. It is now visible from our office in Pleasant Hill and the KC Metro. We have confirmed that it is not an NWS weather balloon. pic.twitter.com/CKQWOw7God
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) February 3, 2023
Southeast
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) February 3, 2023
The bureau noted a lower altitude NWS balloon was launched in the area earlier Friday.
Most likely @NWSOmaha morning weather balloon. The light winds and clear skies have made it very visible over northwest MO this morning.
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) February 3, 2023
Recent photo taken over Columbia, Missouri, midpoint between Kansas City and St. Louis.
NEW: The Chinese surveillance balloon that is moving across the United States is now over Missouri. This photo was taken at 1:35pm in Columbia, MO by @michaelaurban pic.twitter.com/9iVZPHjMCM
— Rob Edwards (@RobertDEdwards) February 3, 2023
Video:
🚨#BREAKING: We are getting reports that people across northwest Missouri near Pleasant Hill and the KC Metro are reporting seeing the Chinese surveillance balloon moving Southeast pic.twitter.com/iogCsyh4fO
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 3, 2023
Audio of air traffic on balloon over Missouri. Last sound byte: Pilot, “Is that that Chinese spy balloon?” ATC: “No, no comment.”
✈️Live ATC audio from earlier this morning as pilots were reporting visuals on the Chinese spy (surveillance) balloon in northwest Missouri!🎈#chineseballoon #ChinaSpyBalloon #china #MOwx #Missouri #balloongate #ballon #ChinaSpyBallon #spyballoon #SpyBalloons #liveatc #atc pic.twitter.com/HefMBpkWxE
— Live Storm Chasers (@LiveStormChaser) February 3, 2023
Current projected track:
What will be the trajectory of the Chinese Spy Balloon that has been recently spotted over NW Missouri? Hard to say as it really depends on a lot of parameters. Using 12z GFS data & running NOAA Hysplit trajectories forward +24h, this is what I got. IL, KY, TN, NC, SC…? pic.twitter.com/O3asaDI8FG
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) February 3, 2023
UPDATE: Gov. Parson, “We have received zero communication from the Biden Administration regarding reports of the suspected Chinese spy balloon now flying over Missouri. We have heard no explanation or plan to remove it. Why has this been allowed to reach our heartland? Why has it not been eliminated?…We will remain in contact with our Missouri National Guard, law enforcement, and security partners to monitor the safety of Missourians.”
We will remain in contact with our Missouri National Guard, law enforcement, and security partners to monitor the safety of Missourians.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 3, 2023
