NOAA Hurricane Hunter Flies 100,000-Pound Plane Through Helene for Storm Data
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
NOAA Hurricane Hunter Flies 100,000-Pound Plane Through Helene for Storm Data
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
Summary
NOAA sent a hurricane hunter aircraft through Tropical Storm Helene over the Gulf of Mexico to gather observations from inside the storm.
Those flights feed research and forecast models, helping meteorologists better understand storms and improve warnings aimed at protecting lives and property.
The agency operates two Lockheed WP-3D Orion turboprop planes — nicknamed Kermit and Miss Piggy — each carrying three pilots, two flight engineers and a team of scientists and technicians.
Based in Lakeland, Florida, the two aircraft first flew 50 years ago and are believed by NOAA officials to have logged more hours than any other P-3 Orions.