Hurricane Milton: Dramatic video shows massive turbulence on plane flying through monstrous storm to gather data
US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center has shared a video clip of a research aircraft experiencing severe turbulence while flying into monstrous Hurricane Milton. The footage captures the Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft, known as «Miss Piggy». The dramatic footage sows the plane navigating through dense, gray sky while being pounded by intense rainfall.
The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, «Bumpy ride into Hurricane Milton on NOAA WP-3D Orion.» The flight's purpose was to gather data for hurricane research to improve storm forecasts. Four NOAA researchers were on board the mission.
The video shows Electrical Engineer Tom Brannigan at the AVAPS (Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System) as the plane shakes violently. The turbulence caused a plastic bag to spill its contents. Programs Integration Engineer Nick Underwood, who filmed the event, asked, «Can you grab my phone real quick?»
Manufactured in the mid-1970s, the aircraft was measuring several critical aspects of Hurricane Milton. Susan Buchanan, the National Weather Service's director of public affairs, told USA Today, «The purpose of these missions is primarily to locate the center of the storm and measure central pressure and surface winds around the eye.» The collected data helps the National Hurricane Center track the storm's location, strength, and speed, enabling accurate forecasts.
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