NOAA deploys new hurricane technology to improve forecasting

The saildrones are taking us closer than ever before to one of Earth's most destructive forces

Lakeland, FL – The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) is tracking Hurricane Fiona by plane and drones. Through NOAA's new research program, sail drones are taking us closer than ever before to one of Earth's most destructive forces.

In partnership with NOAA, Saildrone Inc. is deploying seven ocean drones to collect data from hurricanes during the 2022 hurricane season with the goal of improving hurricane forecasting.

"We're really excited about this new technology. It's going to allow us to fly the drones for up to two to three hours at a time collecting all the data that we previously either could get in very small pieces, or just couldn't get at all because it was in a different part of the storm where we would want not want to go," said Adam Abitbol, a lead test pilot for NOAA. The saildrones recorded video of 50 foot waves and winds of over 120 MPH inside Hurricane Sam last year during NOAA's first test. Until now, NOAA recorded this data by plane, from elevation 10,000 feet. The new technology is now taking us closer than ever before.