Latest news with #AndrewReeves
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Anatomy of a hurricane: Meet the NOAA pilots and planes flying into the storm
At first glance, the Lockheed WP-3D Orion sitting quietly inside a hangar at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's facility appears unremarkable. But when a hurricane begins swirling in the Atlantic or Gulf, this aircraft becomes one of the most important tools in storm forecasting: It flies straight into the heart of the storm. For NOAA pilot Andrew Reeves, now entering his second year as a hurricane hunter, the experience is anything but ordinary. "A good way to think of it is riding an old wooden roller coaster through a car wash," said Reeves, standing outside the aircraft he's trained to pilot directly into tropical cyclones. What is a hurricane hunter plane? The WP-3D Orion is part of the NOAA's Hurricane Hunter program. These aircraft are essentially flying laboratories, packed with instruments designed to gather high-resolution data in places where traditional weather stations can't go — like the middle of a developing hurricane. "What weather stations are in the middle of the ocean? None, right?" Reeves said. As the plane cuts through high winds and torrential rain, it collects critical information on cloud structure, wind speeds, atmospheric pressure, and humidity levels. This data is transmitted back in real time to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to improve forecasts and help meteorologists better understand storm dynamics. How Hurricane Hunters collect storm data Among the many tools onboard is one particularly important device: the dropsonde. This instrument is deployed from a tube on the plane and free-falls through the storm, transmitting data as it descends. "It measures temperature, wind, pressure, humidity," said electronics engineer Steven Paul. "These are critical in data collecting. The data we collect with these gets input into the models the forecasters use to forecast." The real-time information from these sensors is what helps meteorologists refine the forecast cone that viewers see on TV during hurricane season. Every storm the aircraft flies into makes future forecasts just a little bit more accurate. Who creates the hurricane forecast cones? Back on land, that data is analyzed by some of the top forecasters in the world at the NHC. "I know many of them, they are world-class people," said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the NHC. "They do an amazing thing not only for the National Hurricane Center but for our community as a whole." Each mission is staffed by both experienced pilots and NOAA scientists who work together to ensure they fly into the most valuable parts of the storm for data collection. New technology expands the mission This year, NOAA is deploying unmanned aerial systems (UAS) alongside its crewed flights, which will allow for even more comprehensive data collection. "We will have more unmanned aerial systems launching inside the storm," said Reeves. "That allows us to remain inside the eye for longer collecting more data." These drones can fly into areas of the storm too dangerous or turbulent for a manned aircraft, effectively expanding the coverage zone for NOAA's observations. Why hurricane hunters matter more than ever With climate change influencing the intensity and behavior of storms, the work of hurricane hunters is more crucial than ever. More accurate data leads to better storm models, earlier warnings, and potentially, lives saved. Despite the inherent risks and turbulence, Reeves says he wouldn't trade his job for anything. "It's the greatest flying job there is."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
One of Treasure Island's major parking lots remains closed as spring break season gets underway
The Brief Parking at Treasure Island's beaches has become scarce as lots remain closed from hurricane damage. Spring break bringing an influx of visitors has not helped the over congestion of the barrier island's parking lots. The city asks beach goers' for patience in rebuilding lots and urges alternative parking and travel measures for residents and visitors. TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Finding parking at the beach can become frustrating, and fewer spaces are available on Treasure Island as one of the city's major lots remains closed during spring break. Treasure Island's beaches are back open, and visitors are ready to enjoy the sun. "We only got here today. We've been in the Orlando area for three weeks now, and we've got another three weeks to go on vacation," said Alice Ingman, who is visiting from Scotland. The backstory Visitors and locals must move fast to land a parking spot at the beaches. "Not bad as long as you get here early; then you're pretty good," said Andrew Reeves, who is visiting from Indiana. READ: Spring break 'staycations:' Pinellas County Beaches Every space counts, especially during peak times. The lot at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, which includes 112 spaces, a concession stand, and public restrooms remains closed because of storm surge and flooding from Hurricane Helene. The lot is operated by the City of St. Petersburg, which would be responsible for fixing it up and reopening it to the public, even though it is located on Treasure Island. "Well, one of the lots where we intended to park was closed off due to storm damage. We did have a bit of trouble trying to find another area to park, which is why we ended up here," said Ingman, who parked at one of the Treasure Island lots. What they're saying Locals want to see the lots back open as much as tourists do. "I'd like to see this open. I would like to see this open and made available to everybody that wants to come and be a patron of our beaches here in Treasure Island," said Richie Mahoney, who owns Suncoast Sailing across the street from the lot at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard. "It's impacted us tremendously. We have all kinds of foot traffic that walk across the street (and) patronize our retail store. And with this being closed off, all of a sudden, we have absolutely zero foot traffic." READ: Treasure Island's 'Back to the Beach' festival to welcome visitors after back-to-back hurricanes Treasure Island city officials said those necessary parking spaces have been removed from an already limited selection as the city entertains additional visitors on spring break. "Like all beach communities, parking is very scarce. We only have so much room on this barrier island to allow people to park. So, when you have one major lot like that closed, it's a big problem," said Jason Beisel, the Public Information Officer with the City of Treasure Island. "We had an event last weekend that brought in a lot of people, and there wasn't too much complaining about parking. But people did express disappointment in the parking, and wondered why that lot was closed." CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube A spokesperson with the City of St. Petersburg sent FOX 13 a statement saying, in part, "The building is a total loss and the parking lot is unsafe due to erosion and multiple holes in the asphalt. The City is evaluating its rebuild options and will alert the community once a determination has been made." "I don't know if there's any plans for the City of Treasure Island to try and take that lot. But I know our city manager and the City of St. Pete city manager are going to be meeting in the near future to discuss trying to get the lot open or what the future holds for that lot," said Beisel. What's next City leaders are asking for beachgoers' patience and flexibility. More information on various pay-per-hour city lots can be found here. City officials said private parking lots are also available, and visitors are welcome to ride the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's Suncoast Beach Trolley to Treasure Island. For more information on the Suncoast Beach Trolley to Treasure Island, click here. The Source FOX 13's Briona Arradondo collected the information in this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
