On the night of September 19th, 2022, NOAA Hurricane Hunter “Miss Piggy” penetrated the eyewall of Hurricane Fiona as it emerged from the northern coast of Hispañola. The researchers onboard captured data of an intensifying storm as it moved toward the Turks and Caicos Islands. During the course of the flight, instruments onboard measured a surface wind speed of 94 knots (48 m/s). Fiona was adjusting to the marine environment after leaving the island, and the shape of the eye fluctuated from oval to square.
Data from the flight, including from extra dropsondes, were transmitted in real-time to forecast centers to help improve forecasts as the hurricane moves northward.
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