Hurricane Hunters gearing up for........

[dixiebreeze]

the start of the 2004 season. This from the April 5, 2004 NWS Focus site:

Caribbean Hurricane Tour: NOAA, Air Force Take Preparedness Message to Six Nations

United States and host nation scientists met more than 15,000 people at six sites during this year's week-long Caribbean Hurricane Tour.

NWS Tropical Prediction Center (TPC) experts and the "Hurricane Hunters" of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron from Biloxi, MS, took an Air Force WC-130-J "Hercules" Hurricane Hunter aircraft to airports in Tampico, Mexico; Dominica; Martinique; Guadeloupe; and Ponce (south coast) and San Juan (north coast), Puerto Rico, said NOAA Public Affairs Officer Frank Lepore, who coordinated media coverage of the tour.

"The Caribbean hurricane tour helps us build the cooperation between nations affected by Atlantic hurricanes," said Lepore. "We have a great relationship with our partners in the Caribbean, and together we use this annual tour to as a forum to talk about the science of hurricane forecasting and an opportunity to reinforce preparedness messages before the traditional start of the hurricane season."

The TPC works cooperatively through the World Meteorological Organization to serve the tropical storm warning needs of 24 countries. Nations routinely share observations that feed into models used to forecast the track and intensity of approaching storms.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.

[cycloneye]

I was in that tour visit here in San Juan.Very interesting all of what they have inside that plane.

[dixiebreeze]

I'll bet it was interesting, Luis. About 7 - 8 years ago, I turned down a chance to fly with a hurricane hunter out of Biloxi as a news reporter. Now, I can't believe I didn't do it! --- even though it would still scare me speechless, I think.