Simultaneous drones, better data: NOAA hurricane tech hits milestones

Simultaneous drones, better data: NOAA hurricane tech hits milestones

LAKELAND, Fla. — Gusts of wind pulled flags taut outside a conference room window in NOAA’s central Florida-based Aircraft Operations Center as crewmembers went over the flight plan for an emerging hurricane tech-testing day. It was early April, statistically one of the state’s driest months; nevertheless, the skies were overcast and light rain sprinkled throughout the morning.  But rather than throwing a damper on the plans, the weather was a s…