Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, is churning towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency preparations. The storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing with it dangerous storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall.
Ahead of the storm, NOAA Aircraft Operations flew through the monster storm Tuesday, capturing the powerful winds during the flight.
“Bumpy ride into Hurricane Milton on NOAA WP-3D Orion NOAA43 “Miss Piggy” to collect data to help improve the forecast and support hurricane research,” said NOAA Aircraft Operations on X.
Nick Underwood, NOAA, captured the flight on video.
WATCH:
NOAA Aircraft Operations is a critical part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), playing a vital role in understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s environment.
They manage and operate a fleet of specialized aircraft that gather crucial data for various scientific missions.
READ: Hurricane Milton Evacuation Underway In Florida: Heavy Traffic, Bridge Closures Expected
Here’s a breakdown of their key responsibilities:
1. Hurricane Reconnaissance and Research:
- Hurricane Hunters: Perhaps their most well-known role, NOAA’s “Hurricane Hunters” fly directly into hurricanes to collect data on storm intensity, track, and structure. This information is crucial for accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings, helping to save lives and property.
- Research: Beyond reconnaissance, these flights also conduct research to improve our understanding of hurricane formation, intensification, and impacts.
2. Marine Mammal and Fisheries Assessment:
- Aerial Surveys: NOAA aircraft conduct aerial surveys to monitor populations of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals) and assess the health of fisheries. This data helps inform conservation efforts and sustainable fisheries management.
3. Coastal Mapping:
- Aerial Photography and Lidar: Aircraft equipped with advanced sensors capture high-resolution images and lidar data of coastlines. This information is used to create accurate maps, monitor coastal erosion, and assess changes in coastal habitats.
4. Weather and Atmospheric Research:
- Data Collection: NOAA aircraft carry instruments to measure atmospheric conditions, air quality, and collect data on weather phenomena like storms and atmospheric rivers. This contributes to improved weather forecasting and climate research.
5. Emergency Response:
- Disaster Support: In the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and oil spills, NOAA aircraft can be deployed to assess damage, monitor environmental impacts, and aid in search and rescue efforts.
In essence, NOAA Aircraft Operations provides a unique and essential aerial perspective for observing and understanding our planet. Their work supports NOAA’s mission to:
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