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Hurricane Hunters

@53rdWRS • 169,294 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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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

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🌊✈️ 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

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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

1,019,725 views • 10 months 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

532,858 views • 1 year ago

Engine start up for another mission into #HurricaneHelene.

Engine start up for another mission into #HurricaneHelene.

Hurricane Hunters

527,837 views • 1 year 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 • 1 month 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

112,502 views • 9 months 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

86,475 views • 10 months 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

64,759 views • 8 months 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

119,586 views • 1 year ago

Aircrew views today from today’s #HurricaneHelene mission.

Aircrew views today from today’s #HurricaneHelene mission.

Hurricane Hunters

88,703 views • 1 year 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

78,640 views • 1 year ago

A view of #hurricanerafael2024 We fly through the eye wall and eye at 10,000 feet, find the center, and collect the data that assists with movement and intensity forecasts. The data we collect can improve a forecast by anywhere from 15-25 percent. #WeatherReady

A view of #hurricanerafael2024 We fly through the eye wall and eye at 10,000 feet, find the center, and collect the data that assists with movement and intensity forecasts. The data we collect can improve a forecast by anywhere from 15-25 percent. #WeatherReady

Hurricane Hunters

59,631 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

34,907 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 • 9 months 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

18,838 views • 8 months 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

TEAL74 flew a 10 hour mission yesterday into an atmospheric river that will soon be impacting the western United States. Here is 6 hours of flight through the atmospheric river compressed in 60 seconds. On the day of the flight the crew utilizes multiple resources to look for areas of severe turbulence, icing or other conditions which may impact the route of flight. Unlike the hurricane missions these routes are flown at high altitude and speed to gather the greatest amount of data within a particular six hour window for the forecast model. #AtmosphericRiver #readynow #AirForceReserveCommand #NOAA

TEAL74 flew a 10 hour mission yesterday into an atmospheric river that will soon be impacting the western United States. Here is 6 hours of flight through the atmospheric river compressed in 60 seconds. On the day of the flight the crew utilizes multiple resources to look for areas of severe turbulence, icing or other conditions which may impact the route of flight. Unlike the hurricane missions these routes are flown at high altitude and speed to gather the greatest amount of data within a particular six hour window for the forecast model. #AtmosphericRiver #readynow #AirForceReserveCommand #NOAA

Hurricane Hunters

24,912 views • 1 year ago

The Hurricane Hunters are on the move! ✈️🌧️ The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off this morning from Mather Airfield, California, to fly an atmospheric river mission. These critical flights provide real-time data to improve forecasts and help communities prepare for heavy rainfall and potential flooding. #HurricaneHunters #AtmosphericRiver #ReadyNow

The Hurricane Hunters are on the move! ✈️🌧️ The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off this morning from Mather Airfield, California, to fly an atmospheric river mission. These critical flights provide real-time data to improve forecasts and help communities prepare for heavy rainfall and potential flooding. #HurricaneHunters #AtmosphericRiver #ReadyNow

Hurricane Hunters

17,645 views • 1 year ago

Hurricane Katrina: A Story of Survival and Service Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it forever changed the Gulf Coast—and the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base. Entire neighborhoods in Biloxi were devastated, Keesler was flooded, and thousands of lives were upended. For the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the “Hurricane Hunters,” the storm was more than a mission—it was personal. They flew Katrina before it ever reached the Gulf, and many would later return home to destruction and loss. In this 4-part series, Lt. Col. Sean Cross shares his powerful first-hand story of flying Katrina, preparing for landfall, and living through the aftermath. 👉 Stay tuned for Part 2: Preparing for the Landfall.

Hurricane Katrina: A Story of Survival and Service Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it forever changed the Gulf Coast—and the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base. Entire neighborhoods in Biloxi were devastated, Keesler was flooded, and thousands of lives were upended. For the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the “Hurricane Hunters,” the storm was more than a mission—it was personal. They flew Katrina before it ever reached the Gulf, and many would later return home to destruction and loss. In this 4-part series, Lt. Col. Sean Cross shares his powerful first-hand story of flying Katrina, preparing for landfall, and living through the aftermath. 👉 Stay tuned for Part 2: Preparing for the Landfall.

Hurricane Hunters

12,392 views • 9 months ago