SANFORD, Fla. – Hurricane experts, scientists and crew members were at the Sanford International Airport Friday for the 2024 NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour.
The event was the last of five stops for the tour, which ran during National Hurricane Preparedness Week.
People attending the tour stop were able to see aircraft that help meteorologists forecast a hurricane’s path and projected strength.
Nick Underwood is an aerospace engineer on NOAA’s WP-3D aircraft, which flies into tropical systems to gather data.
“This is essentially a flying research laboratory,” Underwood said. “My specific job is to sit in the back and deploy instruments out of the aircraft that measure the atmosphere and measure the ocean for us.”
During a flight, GPS dropsondes are deployed out of the aircraft and transmit back atmospheric data in real-time.
“It’s incredible,” Underwood said. “Especially as storms are building in intensity. Especially as they’re moving, they can undergo rapid intensification. Those processes are very important to not miss.”
Underwood said he enjoys speaking with people about his work to give them a better idea of everything that goes into forecasting hurricanes to help families prepare.
“It’s important for the public to understand the mission that we’re doing,” Underwood said. “Why it matters to them and how the storms are impacting Florida a lot.”
The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1. So far forecasters are predicting an above-average hurricane season.
Meteorologist Jonathan Kegges joined Trooper Steve Montiero in Sanford Friday morning to check out the Hurricane Hunter aircraft. Check out Trooper Steve on Patrol to watch their conversation.
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