The conclusion of the hurricane season does not signal a pause for NOAA and USAF hurricane hunter crews. These specialized teams transition seamlessly into gathering critical data on winter storms, vital for accurate forecasting.
For over two decades, NOAA and the USAF have dispatched their aircraft from early November to mid-April to track winter storms. These missions are as essential as their hurricane counterparts, providing indispensable information on weather patterns that affect millions across various regions.
Two aircraft play pivotal roles in these missions: the NOAA G-IV and the USAF Reserve WC-130J. The G-IV, reaching altitudes between 40,000 and 45,000 feet, and the WC-130J, operating between 24,000 and 30,000 feet, are instrumental in collecting detailed atmospheric data. Their work ensures comprehensive coverage from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, including the often treacherous areas between Hawaii and California.
The process begins at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Maryland, which analyzes developing weather systems. Depending on the forecast, aircraft are assigned to regions like the Atlantic Ocean off the mid-Atlantic coast or the Pacific, known for its atmospheric rivers. Both aircraft deploy dropwindsondes, sophisticated devices that collect temperature, wind, moisture, and pressure data from less accessible oceanic regions.
The information gathered by these missions undergoes stringent quality checks by the Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination All Hurricanes (CARCAH) at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami. This data is then fed into computer models that refine predictions for winter storms.
The insights derived from these models are crucial. They help meteorologists issue more accurate warnings and advisories, providing communities with the necessary information to prepare for severe weather, potentially minimizing damage and saving lives.
NOAA and USAF’s commitment to weather reconnaissance exemplifies the importance of continuous data collection. Their year-round operations not only enhance our understanding of atmospheric phenomena but also play a key role in safeguarding communities across the country.
Source: News4jax
