U.S. hurricane forecasters embark on preparedness mission to Mexico and Caribbean

National Hurricane Center director Ken Graham and several federal hurricane specialists will visit with residents of vulnerable communities and discuss hurricane preparedness, resilience and how they can become “weather-ready.” Tours of the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J “Hurricane Hunter” will offer an opportunity to learn how scientists collect hurricane information. The NOAA WP-3D aircraft, used for both hurricane forecasting and research, will be on display as well.

“It’s so important to know your risk to the specific hurricane hazards, whether it’s coastal storm surge, freshwater inland flooding or high winds,” said Graham. “Every storm is different.”

Locations and local times for public tours are:

• April 8, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Veracruz Int’l Airport, Veracruz, Mexico

• April 9, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Cozumel Int’l Airport, Cozumel, Mexico

• April 10, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica

• April 11,10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Queen Beatrice Int’l Airport, Aruba

• April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Curacao Int’l Airport, Curacao

• April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Rafael Hernández Airport, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 

During hurricanes, military aircrews fly state-of-the-art WC-130J aircraft directly into the core of tropical cyclones to gather data that are critical for forecasting a hurricane’s intensity and landfall. The data are sent in real time via satellite from the aircraft directly to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center for analysis and use by hurricane forecasters.

“Planning ahead is important for everyone; individuals, businesses and local governments,” said Lt. Col. Kaitlyn Woods, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron chief meteorologist. “We gather this weather data to assist the National Hurricane Center forecasters with their storm track and intensity forecasts ensuring the public has the most up to date information so they can make the best decision for them and their families; to stay or evacuate.”

Also participating in the tour will be senior hurricane specialists Lixion Avila and Daniel Brown from the National Hurricane Center; U.S. Air Force reservists from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 403rd Wing stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi; and the flight crew of NOAA’s WP-3D stationed at Lakeland Linder Airport, Lakeland, Florida.

The eastern North Pacific hurricane season officially begins May 15 while the central North Pacific and Atlantic basin hurricane seasons begin June 1.