Storm hunters fly into Bermuda to gather data
Image by Tony McWilliam
Hurricane Gabrielle, the season’s second major storm, reached Category 3 today but luckily, is due to gave Bermuda a wide berth.
The Bermuda Weather Service said the system is positioned around 160 nautical miles to the east south east of the island.
The nearest point of approach is expected to pass within 150 nautical miles to the east south east at 3pm today.
Gabrielle, a category 3 hurricane, is packing winds of 105 knots with gusts of 130 knots. The only effects the island may see are rough seas and southeasterly swells.
Hurricane hunter aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – or NOAA – touched down here in Bermuda yesterday.
They have used the island as a base from which to collect valuable meteorological data on the storm.
The specialized crews flew into Gabrielle’s eye to measure wind speeds, pressure, and rainfall patterns, helping forecasters sharpen their models and improve predictions for the Atlantic hurricane season.
