Still The Best Way To Collect Accurate Information About Tropical Storms

By the time you read this, what's left of hurricane Ida will be an extratropical depression dumping heavy rain on the Florida panhandle. But earlier in the week, the Air Force Reserve's Hurricane Hunters flew non-stop into Hurricane Ida, collecting critical weather data as the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico.

The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are assigned to the 403rd Wing and stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The team of reservists collected data to help determine if the storm was gaining strength as it passed the Yucatan peninsula. The data the Hurricane Hunters provide to the National Hurricane Center in Miami increases the accuracy of the forecast by 30 percent.

"Directly measuring the conditions within the storm provides emergency managers with the best information possible," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Talbot, the chief aerial reconnaissance weather officer. "With that information in hand, it allows them to know where evacuations should occur, what type of impact can be expected and most importantly helps save lives by informing the public of what to expect."

Flying the WC-130J Hercules, the Hurricane Hunters rotated flights into the storm as long as it remained a threat, and will do so the next time a tropical storm takes aim on the U.S. Coast.

ANN Salutes Lt. Col. Chad E. Gibson serving with the 403rd Wing Public Affairs.

FMI: www.403wg.afrc.af.mil