Dropsondes collect weather data

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew weather reconnaissance missions around the clock from Sept. 23 to 26, 2024 into Hurricane Helene to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. One of the tools they use to collect weather data is a dropsonde, which is released into the storm and collects temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and barometric pressure data. The aircraft also collects surface wind speed and flight-level data. This information is transmitted to the NHC in Miami to assist them with their storm warnings and hurricane forecast models in the Atlantic, Caribbean and eastern Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)