KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Hunting hurricanes requires the right tools, many of which are on the WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Reservists with the 403rd Wing’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, collect a variety of data, from temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity and barometric pressure, which is sent to the National Hurricane Center to improve forecasts.
Being able to collect the data requires up-to-date and working equipment, which is the sole responsibility of the members of the 403rd Maintenance Squadron’s Meteorological Equipment Technician Shop. The shop is as unique as the Hurricane Hunters as they are the only facility in the Air Force that maintains WC-130J meteorological equipment.
Recently the MET shop received updated parts for the dew point hygrometer that is currently installed on the WC-130J Super Hercules.
“The hygrometer is used to measure dew point at flight level,” said Maj. Garrett Black, 12th Operational Weather Flight director of operations and 53rd WRS Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer.
Dew point is the temperature at which air is cooled to become saturated with water vapor to achieve a relative humidity of 100%. The higher the dew point, the greater amount of moisture in the air. Meteorologists use dew point to predict weather patterns.
The hygrometer is important in providing a dew point reading at aircraft flight altitude while the dropsonde provides dew point readings as it descends into the storm environment, with both measurements being transferred back to the NHC to assist in the weather forecasts.
“We have been using this equipment for years,” Black said. “Getting newer components for the equipment is just another way to ensure that the data we provide to the National Hurricane Center remains accurate.”
While the use of the hygrometer is not new, the components inside are being updated to assist in providing more accurate dew point data readings during storm missions.