The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has tasked NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft to investigate Tropical Depression Eight in the Gulf of America the evening of Thursday, July 23, 2020. AOML scientists are providing remotely-based data processing expertise for this operational mission. Missions are expected to continue every 12 hours until landfall.
The NOAA43 aircraft named “Miss Piggy” took off from Lakeland, FL at 5:30PM EDT to collect observations at 2500 feet altitude. No dropsondes are expected to be released due to the low flight altitude. However, the tail Doppler radar will collect information about the winds in areas of precipitation.
Tropical Depression Eight has formed in the Gulf of America from a broad, rotating area of thunderstorms. NHC forecasts the depression to intensify to tropical storm strength (over 40 mph) and make landfall Saturday afternoon in southern Texas.
>> Scientist L. Bucci
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DISCLAIMER: The above discussion is intended to provide a brief summary of recent and future HRD Hurricane Field Program Operations. Any use of this material beyond its original intent is prohibited without permission of the HRD Director, Frank Marks (Frank.Marks@noaa.gov). Media inquiries should be directed to AOML Communications (aoml.communications@noaa.gov), Monica Allen (301-734-1123) or Monica.Allen@noaa.gov.