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The Conversation
The Conversation
Chris Vagasky, Meteorologist and Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Hurricane forecasters are losing 3 key satellites ahead of peak storm season − a meteorologist explains why it matters

Many coastal communities rely on satellite data to understand the risks as hurricanes head their way. Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

About 600 miles off the west coast of Africa, large clusters of thunderstorms begin organizing into tropical storms every hurricane season. They aren’t yet in range of Hurricane Hunter flights, so forecasters at the National Hurricane Center rely on weather satellites to peer down on these storms and beam back information about their location, structure and intensity.

The satellite data helps meteorologists create weather forecasts that keep planes and ships safe and prepare countries for a potential hurricane landfall.

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