Weathering the distance

Master Sgt. Kayla Deangelo, 5th Operational Weather Flight training element chief, briefs aircrew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron during the preflight briefing before an atmospheric river mission, Feb. 18. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters conduct atmospheric river missions to collect data that is important for forecasters at the National Weather Service and researchers to track atmospheric rivers, which are large amounts of water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere. This data is invaluable in improving the accuracy of weather models, especially in predicting the timing, intensity, and impact of these events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)