US: NOAA Hurricane Hunters fly into storm to collect critical atmospheric data.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “NOAA AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS CENTER” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — SHOTLIST: HAWAII, US (SEPT. 9, 2026) (NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS - RESTRICTED) 1. NOAA WP-3D ORION AIRCRAFT “MISS PIGGY” DURING HURRICANE MISSIONHAWAII, US - SEPT. 9 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “NOAA AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS CENTER” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — NOAA Hurricane Hunters flew a WP-3D Orion aircraft known as “Miss Piggy” into a hurricane to collect critical data from inside the storm. Operating out of Hawaii, the mission was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center. The center is part of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, while NOAA operates under the US Department of Commerce. Hurricane Hunter aircraft fly directly into tropical cyclones to gather information about conditions inside storms that cannot be fully captured through remote observations. The data helps forecasters better assess a hurricane’s strength, structure and development, contributing to more accurate forecasts of its track and intensity. More precise forecasts can help authorities and communities prepare for potentially dangerous weather and make decisions as a storm approaches.