Hurricane Hunters Could Investigate Storm Friday

news image
Special Stories
24 May 2018 8:49 PM
If necessary, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will send a crew of meteorologists and scientists into the tropical wave (Invest 90L) on Friday. The tropical weather outlook through Monday, May 27 shows a high chance of tropical development in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. NHC usually plans a reconnaissance flight to get that incredibly-vital information of what's exactly happening inside a storm, or in this case, a tropical wave. Pilots fly into the weather system, conduct a "crisscross" pattern, try to find a center of circulation, collect observations of highest wind speed and lowest barometric pressure, and many other tests. Related story: The Importance of Hurricane Hunters In scenarios like this, the meteorologists will be looking to see if a center of circulation has formed within Invest 90L and if winds are high enough for tropical storm status (39 mph or greater). Satellite imagery over Invest 90L Thursday evening showed the system still looked disorganized. Related story: The View From Inside a Hurricane Flight Here's the tentative schedule for NHC flights and the possibility of formation:
  • Friday at 2 a.m. ET: Tropical weather outlook is released
  • Friday at 8 a.m. ET: Tropical weather outlook is released
  • Friday around 1 p.m. ET Reconnaissance flight takes place
If the storm develops, hurricane hunters will fly into it every six hours. If not, there is another tentative flight scheduled for Saturday morning.  Previous story: Hurricane Hunters Call WeatherNation While Flying Through Irma Forecast models continue to show the center of this potential storm moving north and possibly northwest, closer to the northern Gulf Coast states by Sunday and Monday. Forecast weather models each showing the projected storm center through Sunday evening. It is important not to focus solely on the track, but the widespread impacts. In this case, flooding appears to be the biggest hazard to the Gulf Coast states. Stay with WeatherNation for the very latest. For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier
All Weather News
More
Multiple Days of Storms Keeps the Midwest to Northeast Active

Multiple Days of Storms Keeps the Midwest to Northeast Active

After a damaging week of severe thunderstorms

14 Aug 2026 8:00 PM
Lala Threatens Hawaii This Weekend

Lala Threatens Hawaii This Weekend

Tropical Storm Lala is heading toward Hawaii

14 Aug 2026 5:00 PM
Stifling Heat Slides East This Week

Stifling Heat Slides East This Week

A ridge of high pressure continues to dominat

14 Aug 2026 10:45 AM
Atlantic Tropics: Several Systems to Monitor

Atlantic Tropics: Several Systems to Monitor

Aside from the two tropical storms that forme

14 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

Get ready for one of the most spectacular dis

13 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

HIGH PLAINS - Tuesday proved to be an incredi

13 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
One of the Best Meteor Showers of the Year Peaks Tonight

One of the Best Meteor Showers of the Year Peaks Tonight

After the solar eclipse happens Wednesday aft

12 Aug 2026 2:20 PM