Terrifying Video Shows Plane Plowing Through Hurricane Milton, Hitting Extreme Turbulence

A stunning video of a jet flying straight through Hurricane Milton’s eye has surfaced, demonstrating the aircraft’s bravery in the face of severe turbulence. Nick Underwood, a hurricane hunter for the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association), recorded the harrowing event on camera on Tuesday. He showed people clutching their seats during the few minutes of weightlessness and the equipment trembling. It was a “bumpy ride,” according to the NOAA’s plane Operations Center, which is an understatement considering the mayhem inside the plane.

The Lockheed WP-3D Orion, sometimes known as “Miss Piggy,” was not merely soaring through the storm for fun. The mission’s primary goal was to collect essential data for storm forecasting and research advancement. The NOAA claims that these flights are crucial for monitoring the growth and behavior of significant storms, which eventually helps to improve weather forecasts.

Hurricane Milton, poised to become the strongest storm in a century, is expected to make striking landfall at the Florida coast later today. The New York Times noted that the impact of this storm could be catastrophic following closely behind Hurricane Helene, also striking the region, less than two weeks ago. Statements were issued by the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center regarding extreme waves in the area, warning for near 150 mph winds sustained maximum and possibly reaching gusts up to 180 mph.

NOAA’s WP-3D Orions, “Miss Piggy” and “Kermit,” participate in these missions. The hurricane hunters, nicknamed after the popular Muppets, have been in use for decades collecting critical data on storms. “Our main objective during these missions is to get the center fix of the storm, the minimum central pressure, and the surface winds near the eye of the hurricane,” said Susan Buchanan, the National Weather Service director of public affairs.

This harrowing flight highlights the dedication of NOAA’s team in advancing hurricane prediction to protect lives and communities from these formidable natural disasters.