NOAA

Tropical activity has been excessively active throughout August and September, but now a much- needed lull is expected for at least the next couple of weeks in the Atlantic as the final active month of hurricane season approaches.

The crew will continue to perform reconnaissance and rescue missions during hurricane season.

The planes that fly into hurricanes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are leaving MacDill Air Force Base and headed to Lakeland.

When a hurricane barrels toward Florida, pilots with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or fly their planes, nicknamed “hurricane hunters,” into the storm.The information they collect helps with forecasts and evacuation orders.

It’s the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and meteorologists are gearing up for the possibilities of tropical storms. When a storm approaches the coast, a team of pilots and meteorologists jump into planes and fly directly into the storm. They’re collecting data that gets turned into forecasts that help you prepare.