Hurricane hunters provide vital data for weather forecasters
Continuing our series on "hurricane hunter" aircraft for Hurricane Preparedness Week, 47 ABC Chief Meteorologist Daniel Johnson spoke to the meteorologists on the front lines of tropical systems, collecting all the information needed to make the best forecasts possible.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami receives the information from the hurricane hunters.
"All that information comes back to the Hurricane Center within minutes, helping us as forecast determine where the storm is located, how big the storm is and how strong it is," National Hurricane Center Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Dan Brown said.
It's a complete team effort with meteorologists across the country. The NHC often communicates with government offices and local television stations who forecast for Delmarva and the surrounding areas to help prepare our community.
"Delmarva has all four of the hurricane threats here," says Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Chris Strong. "We got to be ready for the tidal flooding, especially those that are close to the tidal shores, got to be ready for the rainfall, the tremendous rainfall that could come with this, those two are usually the biggest, most threatening parts of the hurricane. Then, we also have the wind if it's close to being a landfall hurricane, and the tornado threat as well."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expected to release its tropical forecast for the upcoming season at the end of May. A few things you can do before the season is to be sure to determine if you're in a flood-prone area, have a plan in case a storm hits, stock up on extra supplies and be sure your home is protected.
Although a major hurricane hasn't made landfall in the U.S. In over a decade, the possibility is always there.
"When you hear the season forecast, just know the season is fast approaching," Dan Brown said. "It's the time to get your preparations done to make sure you're ready for hurricane season. It only takes one storm to hit your area for it to be a bad year."
There have been major advancements in forecasting over the years, and as long as hurricane hunter missions continue and research meteorologists work to add the newest, most updated equipment, we should expect to see even better forecasts issued for our area in the years to come.
