One of the most valuable tools used by meteorologists to track the direction and power of a hurricane is a giant, WC130J Super Hercules aircraft, flown by the US Air Force on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The aircraft flies directly into the teeth of powerful storms, gathering vital data on wind speed and rotation. Coupled with satellite and ground measurements, that data allows meteorologists to develop models that predict the likely path of hurricanes several days in advance. But flying into a giant storm like Irma is no picnic, as this Reuters report demonstrates: Piloting the four-engine, WC-130J aircraft was Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hitterman, who over the past 22 years has flown into 40 to 50 hurricanes. Every storm is different but he likens the experience to driving through a car wash - with one big difference. “As you’re driving through that car wash, a bunch of gorillas start jumping on top of...(Read Full Post)