Tropical cyclone reconnaissance flights

Tropical cyclone reconnaissance flights are specialized missions carried out by aircraft to gather vital data on hurricanes and tropical storms. These flights, often conducted by NOAA or military aircraft, fly into or near the storm to measure wind speeds, pressure, temperature, and humidity. This information helps meteorologists accurately assess the storm's strength, size, and potential impact. The data collected improves forecasts and warning accuracy, ultimately aiding in public safety and disaster preparedness. These flights are carefully planned and executed to ensure crew safety while providing critical insights into these powerful weather systems.