Hurricane Hunting in the 21st Century

As the 2024 hurricane season kicks off, forecasters are predicting a very active season. To stay ahead of the storms, hurricane hunters are employing cutting-edge drone technology to gather crucial data.

Meet Dr. Joseph Cione, a meteorologist on a mission to revolutionize hurricane hunting. His job is to lead the charge in using drones to collect vital information about these powerful storms.

Dr. Cione explains the drone deployment process.

Dr. Cione: “You’re throwing a plane out of a plane. The P-3 behind me is going 220 knots, so you’re jettisoning something out and expecting it to just get its bearings and fly.”

These lightweight but high-tech drones collect data at low altitudes and transmit it back to the hurricane hunter plane. This information is crucial in understanding the storms and predicting their paths.

 Radar image of Hurricane Ian.

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian’s winds reached 160 miles per hour as it approached Florida’s southwest coast. Dr. Cione recalls the intense flight: “The biggest flight we’ve had so far is in Ian itself, which that alone, that was a crazy flight.”

The drone technology has already proven its worth, with one drone measuring winds of 216 miles per hour, setting a world record.

 A Saildrone riding massive ocean waves.

Dr. Cione: “So this thing is sitting in the ocean, experiencing 50-foot waves. The Saildrone is nice, because it gets us right at the surface. We can see what’s going on in the ocean, because remember, the energy from the ocean is how the storms stay alive.”

The ultimate goal of this technology is to improve forecasts and save lives. Dr. Cione: “That’s the overriding mission for NOAA, right? We’re here to protect property and save lives.”

As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect better forecasts and more accurate predictions. The future of hurricane hunting is looking bright, and it’s all thanks to the innovative spirit of scientists like Dr. Cione.