"Saildrone" Gets an Inside Look at Major Hurricane Sam

news image
Special Stories
4 Oct 2021 1:30 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxTEMxQMxuU&t=6s The 2021 Hurricane Season is bringing firsts in scientific discovery. A "Saildrone" got an inside look at a Category 4 Hurricane when it was directed into Hurricane Sam in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, September 30th. https://twitter.com/NOAAResearch/status/1443670149672886283 According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), the Sail Drone sustained 50 foot waves and measured 120 mph sustained winds. The drone is sent into the storm to "collect real-time observations for numerical hurricane prediction models, which are expected to yield new insights into how large and destructive tropical cyclones grow and intensify." https://twitter.com/NOAAComms/status/1443672839106834435 The Saildrone is an unscrewed surface vehicle, or USV, developed privately, and partnering with NOAA to improve hurricane forecasting technology. The Saildrones have been used across other parts of the world's oceans to collect various data. https://twitter.com/NASAExpeditions/status/1442514518584684546 For more on Hurricane Sam's official forecast, click here. We'll have more on the Saildrone's findings on WeatherNation throughout the week.
All Weather News
More
Nor'Easter Riles up the Waves This Week

Nor'Easter Riles up the Waves This Week

SETUPAn upper-level low is in the process of

19 Oct 2026 9:30 PM
Pattern Change for the West This Week

Pattern Change for the West This Week

Looking ahead through this week, a big low pr

19 Oct 2026 8:45 PM
Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow qui

19 Oct 2026 1:25 PM
Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

Across portions of the Ohio Valley through th

19 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Tropics: Pacific Staying Active

Tropics: Pacific Staying Active

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

19 Oct 2026 10:00 AM
Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Storm PotentialSevere risk is decreasi

16 Oct 2026 10:20 AM
Flooding & Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains

Flooding & Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains

Extreme rainfall has been hitting areas of Te

16 Oct 2026 2:00 AM