A brand new drone created specifically to withstand the intense weather inside of a hurricane has captured the first-ever videos recorded on the surface of the water from the inside of a storm as it churns across the ocean. The Saildrone Explorer SD 1045, which is equipped with a special "hurricane wing," was sent into the eye of Hurricane Sam, a monster Category 4 storm currently churning in the Atlantic Ocean.
The drone provides real-time data to scientists, allowing them to gather new information about hurricanes and how they form.
"Using data collected by saildrones, we expect to improve forecast models that predict rapid intensification of hurricanes," said Greg Foltz, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "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."
The NOAA released two videos recorded by the drone as it was battered by massive waves and high winds.
"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," Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder, and CEO said in a statement. "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."
While Hurricane Sam is not expected to make landfall, it packs a powerful punch with wind speeds topping 120 mph and could bring high winds and heavy rains to cities along the northern Atlantic.