The ‘first ever’ footage inside a hurricane at sea has been released – and it looks terrifying.
Scientists took a drone mounted on top of a robotic surfboard and essentially placed it straight in the eye of the storm.
Except the storm was actually a huge hurricane, known as Hurricane Sam.
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The drone revealed footage inside the hurricane (Saildrone)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that a hurricane is a ‘rotating storm system of clouds and thunderstorms that forms over warm tropical or subtropical waters’.
In the footage, the drone – which was shot by the NOAA as well as Saildrone – can be seen sailing the seas during the hurricane.
The drone, named the Saildrone Explorer SD 1045, endures 120mph winds as well as 50ft waves during the extreme weather event in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Sam occurred in 2021 and was a Category 4 – aka the second highest on the scale.
The NOAA said in a statement: “The Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 was directed into the midst of Hurricane Sam, a category 4 hurricane, which is currently on a path that fortunately will miss the U.S. east coast. SD1045 is battling 50 foot waves and winds of over 120 mph to collect critical scientific data and, in the process, is giving us a completely new view of one of earth’s most destructive forces.”
The drone worked by using its ‘hurricane wing’ to operate in extreme weather conditions.
It then collects real-time observations to help scientists understand just how destructive hurricanes can be and how they grow.
A hurricane in the West Indies (Getty Stock Photo)
“Using data collected by saildrones, we expect to improve forecast models that predict rapid intensification of hurricanes,” said NOAA scientist, Greg Foltz. “Rapid intensification, when hurricane winds strengthen in a matter of hours, is a serious threat to coastal communities. New data from saildrones and other uncrewed systems that NOAA is using will help us better predict the forces that drive hurricanes and be able to warn communities earlier.”
Meanwhile, Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins added: “Saildrone is going where no research vessel has ever ventured, sailing right into the eye of the hurricane, gathering data that will transform our understanding of these powerful storms.
“After conquering the Arctic and Southern Ocean, hurricanes were the last frontier for Saildrone survivability. We are proud to have engineered a vehicle capable of operating in the most extreme weather conditions on earth.”
Featured Image Credit: Saildrone
Topics: News, Weather, Environment
