Hurricane Hunters and Recon Data
Satellites see storms from above, but the most precise measurements come from aircraft that fly through them. The NOAA Hurricane Hunters and the Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron fly into tropical systems to measure what satellites cannot: the central pressure, the winds at flight level and at the surface, and the structure of the core.
The aircraft measure central pressure, flight-level winds, and surface winds using an instrument called the SFMR. They also drop dropsondes, which record a vertical profile of the storm on the way to the ocean. When a mission reports a closed circulation, it means the storm has a defined center, which is the threshold the NHC uses to classify a tropical depression and begin advisories.
Official recon sources
NHC Aircraft Reconnaissance
The National Hurricane Center's page for raw recon data, including vortex messages and surface observations from the aircraft.
Open in a new tab →Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day
The daily plan that lists which missions are scheduled, what areas the aircraft will investigate, and when they will fly.
Open in a new tab →What to look for
Falling pressure means strengthening
When recon reports a central pressure lower than the previous advisory, the storm is likely getting stronger. A steady drop over several hours is a strong signal of intensification.
A measured wind higher than the advisory means an upgrade is likely
If the aircraft measures flight-level or surface winds above what the current advisory lists, the NHC will often raise the storm's intensity at the next advisory, usually within a few hours.
Frequently asked questions
How often do they fly?
When a storm is active, hurricane hunters typically fly every 6 hours, timed to support each NHC advisory. Investigative missions into disturbed weather may fly once or twice a day. The Plan of the Day lists the schedule.
Can a plane fly through a Category 5?
Yes. The aircraft fly through the eyewall at around 10,000 feet, which is above the most turbulent layer near the surface. It is rough, but the planes are built for it. They do avoid the very strongest storms at low altitude when possible.
What is a dropsonde?
A dropsonde is a small instrument package dropped from the aircraft that measures pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind as it falls to the ocean surface. It sends back a vertical profile of the storm that no satellite can match.
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