While Hurricane Milton is traversing the Gulf of Mexico, Life of NOAA researcher

While Hurricane Milton is traversing the Gulf of Mexico, our researchers are onboard the @flynoaa P-3 and G-IV to gather important meteorological data. Today’s mission involves flying a rotated figure 4 flight path and deploying dropsondes, AXBTs, wave drifters and a @black_swift_technologies drone. Each of these instruments is uniquely designed to gather a different dataset. 

But how do researchers actually collect oceanic and atmospheric observations?

Dropsondes are launched from both the P-3 and G-IV aircraft. They slowly fall towards the ocean surface and gather atmospheric data on their descent. This gives researchers a picture of the conditions throughout the atmosphere that contribute to the storm. 

The @black_swift_technologies S0 drone is another airborne expendable launched from the P-3. This uncrewed aircraft system flies autonomously, gathering data in the lower levels of the storm where planes cannot safely reach. This is revolutionizing the way scientists can study the boundary layer. 

AXBTs (airborne expendable bathythermographs) are launched from the P-3 exclusively, with the goal of gathering oceanic measurements. Once the AXBTs hit the ocean surface, they report oceanic data back to the researchers, giving us a better picture of what’s happening in the water below the storm. 

Wave Drifters are the final instrument being launched from the P-3. These are oceanic observation tools designed to give researchers a better picture of the conditions at the sea surface. 

At the sea surface, @saildrone gathers data from the boundary layer and ocean. Researchers have intentionally placed Saildrone in the path of Hurricane Milton to gain a better picture of the ocean-atmosphere interactions. 

All of these data and observations are transmitted in real time to the @nwsnhc_hurricanes , where meteorologists use this flight data to make forecasts about Milton’s path and intensity.

With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast, our researchers are inside the storm gathering critical data to support @nwsnhc_hurricanes forecasts. 

Scientists from our Hurricane Research Division have climbed aboard N43RF alongside aviators from @flynoaa to fly into and above Hurricane Milton, giving forecasters a better picture of the storms structure and strength. 

The mission is to gather as much data as possible to improve our understanding of Milton’s current state. By flying the “butterfly pattern”, researchers can pass through the eye multiple times, giving them several opportunities to identify the center and gather data in all regions of the storm. 

Throughout the flight, scientists release dropsondes from the aircraft. These sondes report data back to the plane as they fall through the atmosphere, giving researchers a better understanding of the lower levels of the storm where planes cannot reach. 

While our researchers gathering data to support NHC’s forecasts, make sure that you are prepared for landfall. 

For the latest updates about Hurricane Milton, visit nhc.noaa.gov/#milton