How can planes fly through a hurricane?

Question

The NOAA has flights going through Hurricane Milton to collect data – how are these safe?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Depending on the hurricane and the ceiling of the cloud formation, its also possible to fly over the hurricane and then down into the eye. Specialized jets can operate well above 40,000 feet and might take this approach vs traveling through the storm wall. Depends on what NOAA is wanting to measure or track.