Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth named storm of the season, has caused major flooding and spawned tornadoes in the Southeast. It made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 80 mph, resulting in at least four deaths. Debby has since moved through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, causing significant weather events. A Saildrone Explorer drone ventured into the eye of the storm, recording wind gusts of 69 mph and waves over 16 feet high. Saildrone and NOAA have been launching uncrewed surface vehicles into hurricanes for four years to gather data on storm formation and intensity. The drones are equipped with sensors to measure various weather conditions and are designed to withstand extreme weather. This year, researchers are focusing on how salinity affects hurricane development and carbon dioxide exchange between the ocean and atmosphere during storms. The current mission will last until October, with data collected by the USVs being paired with information from NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft and gliders. Powered by renewable energy, Saildrone’s drones are contributing valuable data to help improve understanding of hurricanes and their impact on the environment.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
Experience the breathtaking view of Hurricane Debby up close with a drone
