Hurricane data collection includes steering currents, wind data, pressure, temperature and humidity. Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) of the U.S. Air Force send planes up into hurricanes to take readings at specific intervals to track the storm. Does this Spark an idea?
In the Thick of Things
According to the Hurricane Hunters Association (HHA), while satellites can locate the eye of the hurricane, they can't locate the pressure center. The HHA notes that a plane flying through a storm can give detailed wind measurements for small increments of the storm.
Collection Method
Both NOAA and the 53rd WRS use devices called dropsondes (or dropwindsondes). These are tubes filled with equipment, a parachute and a radio transmitter. Researchers drop them into the storm, and as they fall, the dropsondes relay data back to the plane.
NOAA Data
NOAA states that its use of data is different from that of the 53rd WRS. NOAA uses the information to not only create forecasts, but to investigate storm formation.
WRS Data
The 53rd WRS notes it uses the data it collects to help plan evacuations as well as help forecasters issue storm warnings.
Interesting Fact
The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that a ground radar system was "the only scientific team to successfully brave Hurricane Ike's knock-down winds and swells in Galveston." Researchers are using the data to look at "fine-scale wind streaks" and "boundary layer rolls," both of which influence hurricane formation, according to the NSF.
Tags: NOAA 53rd