The Hurricane Hunters are brave Air Force Reserve men and women who fly aircraft out of Biloxi, Mississippi into tropical systems to make weather observations.
They use 10 specially equipped Lockheed-Martin WC-130J turboprop aircraft at Kessler Air Force Base and provide detailed information about the storms strength and location used by meteorologists.
They plow into a tropical system from the outside flying towards the center, or eye, taking observations of wind, and air pressure, then shoot out the opposite side. This pattern is repeated until they have the information they need to send back data used in forecast models. This information is vital in producing long-range projections of the expected strength and location of tropical storms and hurricanes.
I worked with a meteorologist who was also in the Air Force Reserves and flew with the Hurricane Hunters. She talked about how their plane violently shook as they entered storms. She said it was worse than anything you have ever experienced in a commercial flight.
It’s not without risk; while there has not been a crash in the past 30 years during hurricane observations there has been causalities. There were aircraft and crews lost in 1952 during Typhoon Wilma, in 1955 Hurricane Janet, 1958 in Typhoon Ophilia, and 1974 in Typhoon Bess.
Over the years, I’ve tried to catch ride on board with the Hurricane Hunters but so far, have not had the opportunity. Probably just as well, my wife worried about me when I chased tornadoes for 20 years. To tell her I was flying into a 120 mph wind-producing hurricane over the ocean may put a storm cloud in our marriage. Still, it would be fun.
If you have a weather question for Dan, send it to: askdan@kjrh.com
