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Hurricane Hunters

@53rdWRS • 169,572 subscribers

Official page of the @403rdWing Air Force Reserve #HurricaneHunters (Following, RT and likes do not equal endorsement) For media inquiries: [email protected]

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🌀 INTO THE STORM | Air Force Reserve #HurricaneHunters with the 53rd WRS are flying Hurricane Lowell, collecting critical data to help forecasters determine the storm’s intensity and track. Stay weather-aware and follow guidance from local officials. #53WRS #HurricaneLowell

🌀 INTO THE STORM | Air Force Reserve #HurricaneHunters with the 53rd WRS are flying Hurricane Lowell, collecting critical data to help forecasters determine the storm’s intensity and track. Stay weather-aware and follow guidance from local officials. #53WRS #HurricaneLowell

43,954 views

🌊🌀 The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” and NAVOCEANO supported the Office of Naval Research (ONR) SASCWATCH project by dropping ocean buoys ahead of Hurricane Lowell. Videos show buoy drops and the red dots show buoy movement as the storm approaches. The buoys measure winds, waves, pressure and sea-surface temperature—revealing how hurricane winds impact waves and modulate hurricane intensity. #HurricaneHunters #SASCWATCH #HurricaneLowell

🌊🌀 The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” and NAVOCEANO supported the Office of Naval Research (ONR) SASCWATCH project by dropping ocean buoys ahead of Hurricane Lowell. Videos show buoy drops and the red dots show buoy movement as the storm approaches. The buoys measure winds, waves, pressure and sea-surface temperature—revealing how hurricane winds impact waves and modulate hurricane intensity. #HurricaneHunters #SASCWATCH #HurricaneLowell

13,225 views

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...flying high into the storm. Sending back the data from #hurricanemilton2024 to help everyone stay #WeatherReady

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...flying high into the storm. Sending back the data from #hurricanemilton2024 to help everyone stay #WeatherReady

308,237 views

From training one week to real-world missions the next, our Hunters are always on the move at a moment’s notice. They departed Keesler AFB on Monday and are currently monitoring Tropical Storm Lala in the Pacific, with eyes in the sky for Hawaii. #WeatherReady 🎥 by Lt. Col. Mark Withee

From training one week to real-world missions the next, our Hunters are always on the move at a moment’s notice. They departed Keesler AFB on Monday and are currently monitoring Tropical Storm Lala in the Pacific, with eyes in the sky for Hawaii. #WeatherReady 🎥 by Lt. Col. Mark Withee

13,028 views

🌊✈️ The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is on the move! This week, our Airmen deployed specialized ocean-drifting buoys off the coast of Alaska—critical tools that will gather real-time ocean and atmospheric data as they drift south ahead of upcoming Atmospheric River (AR) missions. These buoys capture key information like surface winds, air pressure, water temperature, wave height, currents, and salinity. All that data feeds directly into environmental models that help improve forecasts for AR events, tropical cyclones, wind fields, precipitation, and more—supporting scientists, forecasters, and lifesaving warnings. #WeatherReady

🌊✈️ The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is on the move! This week, our Airmen deployed specialized ocean-drifting buoys off the coast of Alaska—critical tools that will gather real-time ocean and atmospheric data as they drift south ahead of upcoming Atmospheric River (AR) missions. These buoys capture key information like surface winds, air pressure, water temperature, wave height, currents, and salinity. All that data feeds directly into environmental models that help improve forecasts for AR events, tropical cyclones, wind fields, precipitation, and more—supporting scientists, forecasters, and lifesaving warnings. #WeatherReady

12,491 views

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Last night, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into the eye of Hurricane Erin—and captured imagery of the breathtaking stadium effect. These missions provide critical data to the NHC to improve forecasts, helping keep communities safe before the storm makes landfall.#readynow #weatherready

Last night, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into the eye of Hurricane Erin—and captured imagery of the breathtaking stadium effect. These missions provide critical data to the NHC to improve forecasts, helping keep communities safe before the storm makes landfall.#readynow #weatherready

Hurricane Hunters

1,020,495 views • 1 year ago

As Tropical Storm Dolly dissipates in the Atlantic, our Hurricane Hunters will continue to train and stand by for future missions. Dolly Parton once said, “I've always believed that if you are in a position to help, you should. ” Our crews do just that — ready to head into storms at a moment’s notice to help those back on the home front prepare. Two Dollys. One mission: help people. ❤️✈️ 🎥 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg & Lt. Col. Mark Withee #WeatherReady #AirForceReserve #HurricaneHunters #53WRS #Dolly

As Tropical Storm Dolly dissipates in the Atlantic, our Hurricane Hunters will continue to train and stand by for future missions. Dolly Parton once said, “I've always believed that if you are in a position to help, you should. ” Our crews do just that — ready to head into storms at a moment’s notice to help those back on the home front prepare. Two Dollys. One mission: help people. ❤️✈️ 🎥 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg & Lt. Col. Mark Withee #WeatherReady #AirForceReserve #HurricaneHunters #53WRS #Dolly

Hurricane Hunters

26,038 views • 23 days ago

Just getting a bath after our return from #hurricanemilton2024🌀..Time for the next crew to go. #WeatherReady

Just getting a bath after our return from #hurricanemilton2024🌀..Time for the next crew to go. #WeatherReady

Hurricane Hunters

532,946 views • 1 year ago

Engine start up for another mission into #HurricaneHelene.

Engine start up for another mission into #HurricaneHelene.

Hurricane Hunters

527,839 views • 2 years ago

The Surface Atmosphere Sea Coupling: WAves, Turbulence, Currents, and Hurricanes (SASCWATCH) Project is breaking new ground in hurricane science! By combining ocean buoys, NOAA flyovers, and our #HurricaneHunters, researchers are studying how waves, currents, and turbulence exchange heat, moisture, and energy between the ocean and atmosphere during extreme storms. The goal? To improve hurricane forecasts and better understand how tropical cyclones grow and intensify—keeping communities safer. #HurricaneScience #SASCWATCH #53WRS #HurricaneHunters #NOAA

The Surface Atmosphere Sea Coupling: WAves, Turbulence, Currents, and Hurricanes (SASCWATCH) Project is breaking new ground in hurricane science! By combining ocean buoys, NOAA flyovers, and our #HurricaneHunters, researchers are studying how waves, currents, and turbulence exchange heat, moisture, and energy between the ocean and atmosphere during extreme storms. The goal? To improve hurricane forecasts and better understand how tropical cyclones grow and intensify—keeping communities safer. #HurricaneScience #SASCWATCH #53WRS #HurricaneHunters #NOAA

Hurricane Hunters

112,595 views • 1 year ago

The Air Force Reserve’s Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying nonstop missions into Hurricane Erin, gathering critical data for the National Hurricane Center. These brave crews are in the storm so you don’t have to be—helping forecasters improve track and intensity predictions that keep communities safe.

The Air Force Reserve’s Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying nonstop missions into Hurricane Erin, gathering critical data for the National Hurricane Center. These brave crews are in the storm so you don’t have to be—helping forecasters improve track and intensity predictions that keep communities safe.

Hurricane Hunters

86,531 views • 1 year ago

Views of our mission into Hurricane Milton, which re-strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane Tuesday. For the latest forecast information visit #WeatherReady #WeatherReadyNation

Views of our mission into Hurricane Milton, which re-strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane Tuesday. For the latest forecast information visit #WeatherReady #WeatherReadyNation

Hurricane Hunters

124,506 views • 1 year ago

Today, we flew missions into Tropical Storm Imelda to gather critical data for the National Hurricane Center. The WC-130J crews are tracking the storm’s strength, wind speeds and pressure to improve forecasts and help keep communities prepared. #ReadyNow

Today, we flew missions into Tropical Storm Imelda to gather critical data for the National Hurricane Center. The WC-130J crews are tracking the storm’s strength, wind speeds and pressure to improve forecasts and help keep communities prepared. #ReadyNow

Hurricane Hunters

64,825 views • 11 months ago

Aircrew views today from today’s #HurricaneHelene mission.

Aircrew views today from today’s #HurricaneHelene mission.

Hurricane Hunters

88,719 views • 2 years ago

Welcome Sarasota, come out and see us for the Hurricane Awareness Tour at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today.

Welcome Sarasota, come out and see us for the Hurricane Awareness Tour at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today.

Hurricane Hunters

24,079 views • 4 months ago

As Hurricane #Helene approaches the #Florida Big Bend, we have been working around the clock to provide data for #NHC forecasts. Please heed the warnings from your local officials. For the information on #Helene visit For those of you in the path of the storm, please stay safe!

As Hurricane #Helene approaches the #Florida Big Bend, we have been working around the clock to provide data for #NHC forecasts. Please heed the warnings from your local officials. For the information on #Helene visit For those of you in the path of the storm, please stay safe!

Hurricane Hunters

78,656 views • 2 years ago

Our 403rd Operations Group Commander Col. Elissa Granderson was our pilot for today’s mission into #hurricanemilton2024🌀 collecting weather data for NHC forecasts. She is responsible for all matters pertaining to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Operations Group that includes 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, two operational weather flights, an operations support squadron, tactical airlift squadron, aeromedical evacuation squadron, and the Hurricane Hunters, the only weather reconnaissance squadron in the Department of Defense. For forecast information visit Stay safe and #weatherready!

Our 403rd Operations Group Commander Col. Elissa Granderson was our pilot for today’s mission into #hurricanemilton2024🌀 collecting weather data for NHC forecasts. She is responsible for all matters pertaining to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Operations Group that includes 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, two operational weather flights, an operations support squadron, tactical airlift squadron, aeromedical evacuation squadron, and the Hurricane Hunters, the only weather reconnaissance squadron in the Department of Defense. For forecast information visit Stay safe and #weatherready!

Hurricane Hunters

71,420 views • 1 year ago

Wild wind! This radar imagery of the eye wall of Rafael at 3 a.m. this morning shows wind speeds going from 48mph to 105mph in 30 seconds. NHC tasks the U.S. Air Force Reserve and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunter aircraft to fly through the storm to collect data to improve forecasts and coordinate necessary watches and warnings for impacted communities. Stay #weatherready

Wild wind! This radar imagery of the eye wall of Rafael at 3 a.m. this morning shows wind speeds going from 48mph to 105mph in 30 seconds. NHC tasks the U.S. Air Force Reserve and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunter aircraft to fly through the storm to collect data to improve forecasts and coordinate necessary watches and warnings for impacted communities. Stay #weatherready

Hurricane Hunters

56,914 views • 1 year ago

Here is a look at what it’s like to fly an atmospheric river mission. One of our crews took off from Mather Airfield, California, yesterday to gather vital data that helps meteorologists predict intense weather patterns and protect communities. #AtmosphericRiver #53rdWeatherReconnaissanceSquadron #readynow

Here is a look at what it’s like to fly an atmospheric river mission. One of our crews took off from Mather Airfield, California, yesterday to gather vital data that helps meteorologists predict intense weather patterns and protect communities. #AtmosphericRiver #53rdWeatherReconnaissanceSquadron #readynow

Hurricane Hunters

34,982 views • 1 year ago

From their forward base in St. Croix, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s Teal 75 is taking off to fly into Hurricane Erin. The Hurricane Hunters collect data from inside the storm to improve forecasts and keep communities safe. #HurricaneHunters #53WRS #AFReserve

From their forward base in St. Croix, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s Teal 75 is taking off to fly into Hurricane Erin. The Hurricane Hunters collect data from inside the storm to improve forecasts and keep communities safe. #HurricaneHunters #53WRS #AFReserve

Hurricane Hunters

21,846 views • 1 year ago

⛈ Reserve Hurricane Hunters Take Flight! Our Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off for its first mission of the 2025 hurricane season—tasked to fly Hurricane Erick, the Hurricane Hunters gather vital weather data to send to the National Hurricane Center, which assists with updating models, forecasts and saves lives. #WeatherReady 🔗 Click to read the full story:

⛈ Reserve Hurricane Hunters Take Flight! Our Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off for its first mission of the 2025 hurricane season—tasked to fly Hurricane Erick, the Hurricane Hunters gather vital weather data to send to the National Hurricane Center, which assists with updating models, forecasts and saves lives. #WeatherReady 🔗 Click to read the full story:

Hurricane Hunters

22,427 views • 1 year ago

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron made their first pass through Tropical Storm Gabrielle, gathering critical data to improve forecasts and keep communities safe. Their WC-130J missions provide real-time info to the National Hurricane Center for storm tracking and intensity updates. #HurricaneHunters | #TSGabrielle | #AFReserve | #ReserveReady

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron made their first pass through Tropical Storm Gabrielle, gathering critical data to improve forecasts and keep communities safe. Their WC-130J missions provide real-time info to the National Hurricane Center for storm tracking and intensity updates. #HurricaneHunters | #TSGabrielle | #AFReserve | #ReserveReady

Hurricane Hunters

18,995 views • 1 year ago