Record Hurricane Beryl: Researchers Fly Right Through the Storm

Hurricane Beryl, which devastated the island of Grenada on Tuesday and is now heading towards Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, has set records as the earliest hurricane in history to reach intensity categories 4 and 5. On Monday, wind speeds of at least 160 miles per hour were recorded. "There are so many superlatives to describe Hurricane Beryl – whether it's the season, location, or strength," said Jonathan Zawislak, meteorologist and flight director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dr. Zawislak is one of the so-called hurricane hunters – a group of about 30 to 40 scientists, data analysts, and pilots based in Lakeland, Florida. They fly directly into hurricanes using three specially equipped aircraft nicknamed Gonzo, Kermit, and Miss Piggy. Both Kermit and Miss Piggy are outfitted with Doppler radar on the fuselage and tail, which enables the scientists to create three-dimensional images of the storm. Over the past three days, Dr. Zawislak and his team launched from St. Croix, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and navigated through the swirling eyewall of Hurricane Beryl. In a category 4 or 5 storm like Beryl, the eyewall – the ring of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and dangerous winds surrounding the storm's center – is loud and turbulent. "It's like a roller coaster ride in a car wash, except you never know when the highs and lows will come or where it’s going next," said Dr. Zawislak on Tuesday as he prepared for his third reconnaissance flight into Hurricane Beryl.