Explained: The Albuquerque Box at Balloon Fiesta

When balloons launch into the sky each morning of Balloon Fiesta, pilots hope for what's called the "Albuquerque Box."

The Albuquerque Box is a wind pattern that sets up during the morning hours of Balloon Fiesta, mainly during October.

In the early morning, during launch, winds at a lower flight level push balloons to the south toward the city. As balloons rise in altitude, upper-level winds will then carry balloons back to the north.

Balloonists hope for this pattern every morning because they can take off from Balloon Fiesta Park and sometimes land back at the park.