Hurricane Hunters. Dropsonde operator in a Hercules plane flown by the US Air Force Hurricane Hunters team. A dropsonde is an instrument that is place

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Hurricane Hunters. Dropsonde operator in a Hercules plane flown by the US Air Force Hurricane Hunters team. A dropsonde is an instrument that is placed outside a plane to measure meteorological parameters, such as wind speed, humidity and atmospheric pressure. Each crew takes a twelve- hour flight gathering data from the storm, twice passing through its eye. These data are then relayed to base, where computer models help predict the storm's future direction. These models have an accuracy of 70%, which allows authorities to implement damage limitation procedures. This flight flew through Hurricane Floyd, which caused 57 deaths and billion US dollars of damage.

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Size: 5143px × 3417px
Photo credit: © CHRIS SATTLBERGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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