2024 Hurricane Awareness Tour

2024 Maine Hurricane Awareness Tour Portland Maine

Welcome!! Join NWS Gray and the National Hurricane Center to learn about tropical cyclones, their threats, and how you can prepare!


What is a Tropical Cyclone?

GOES16 Infrared satellite image of Hurricane Lee moving through the Gulf of Maine
GOES16 Infrared satellite image of Hurricane Lee moving through the Gulf of Maine

Hurricane Lee makes landfall in Southern Canada (Imagery from CSU/CIRA & NOAA)

Tropical cyclones form when thunderstorms develop over warm tropical waters. These thunderstorms cluster together and eventually become an organized storm system, usually rotating around a central area of low pressure (the "eye").

What is the difference between a hurricane and a tropical cyclone? That's a trick question! Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that have reached a certain strength. Here are the different types of tropical cyclones:

  • Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
  • Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
  • Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are called cyclones.
  • Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Graphic depicting tropical cyclones in various stages of formation across the tropics. At the bottom, wind speeds for storm strength classifications are listed.
Graphic depicting tropical cyclones in various stages of formation across the tropics. At the bottom, wind speeds for storm strength classifications are listed.


Who are the Hurricane Hunters?

Lt Cmdr Brett Copare and LCDR David Keith at controls during flight to Hurricane Lee on NOAA WP-3D Orion N43RF "Miss Piggy"
Lt Cmdr Brett Copare and LCDR David Keith at controls during flight to Hurricane Lee on NOAA WP-3D Orion N43RF "Miss Piggy"

NOAA Corps officers Lt. Cmdr. Brett Copare and Lt. Cmdr. David Keith at the controls of NOAA WP-3D Orion N43RF during its flight to Hurricane Lee on Sept. 8, 2023.

Slicing through the eyewall of a hurricane, NOAA’s two  Lockheed WP-3D Orion  four-engine turboprop aircraft face howling winds, blinding rain, and violent updrafts and downdrafts. Affectionately nicknamed 'Kermit' (N42RF) and 'Miss Piggy' (N43RF), these aircraft enter the relative calm of the storm’s eye. They probe every wind and pressure change, enduring the often grueling conditions repeatedly during their 8-10 hour missions.

During these missions, scientists aboard the aircraft deploy special instruments known as dropwindsondes, as  NOAA Corps  officers pilot and navigate the P-3 through the hurricane. These instruments continuously transmit measurements of pressure, humidity, temperature, and wind direction and speed as they fall toward the sea, providing a detailed look at the structure of the storm and its intensity.

In addition to conducting research to help scientists better understand hurricanes and other kinds of tropical cyclones, the NOAA's P-3s participate in storm reconnaissance missions when tasked to do so by the NOAA National Weather Service's  National Hurricane Center . The purpose of these missions is primarily to locate the center of the storm and measure the central pressure and surface winds around the eye. The U.S. Air Force Reserve's  53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron  also supports this mission with their WC-130J aircraft. Information from both research and reconnaissance flights directly contribute to the safety of people living along and visiting the vulnerable Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Our Aircraft

Left: WC-130J, operated by U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; Center: Gulfstream IV-SP, operated by NOAA Right: Lockheed WP-3D Orion (NOAA)

WC-130J - "Hercules"

The WC-130J is a high-wing, medium-range aircraft used in several weather reconnaissance missions throughout the year. This plane is specifically configured to penetrate tropical disturbances, storms, hurricanes, and winter storms. It is equipped with meteorological instruments and radar to obtain data on the current development, movement, size, and intensity of these systems. The WC-130J is the weather data collection platform for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (also known as The Air Force Hurricane Hunters). It carries a minimum crew of five: pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer and weather reconnaissance loadmaster. The crew collects and reports weather data as often as every minute.

WP-3D - "Orion"

The versatile turboprop aircraft is equipped with a variety of scientific instrumentation, radars, and recording systems for both in-situ and remote sensing measurements of the atmosphere, the earth, and its’ environment. The Orion aircraft collects low-altitude data to fill gaps in data not available from ground-based radar or satellite imagery.

Gulfstream IV-SP

The G-IV is also used by NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), based at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, FL.  The G-IV flies around and over developing tropical cyclones, releasing dropwindsondes to measure pressure, temperature, humidity, and the horizontal and vertical wind components from GPS data. A Tail Doppler Radar (TDR) is also mounted to the rear of the aircraft. 


Hurricanes in Maine

Can you name the last hurricane that made landfall in southern Maine? Do you remember experiencing a hurricane from your childhood, or hearing your parents or grandparents talk about a storm? Find out more about the storms that have impacted southern Maine over the years using our historical hurricane tracker below!

Historical Hurricane Tracks (within 60 Nautical Miles of Portland, Maine)


What Are the Threats?

Wind

Hurricane-force winds can cause damage to homes and other buildings, ranging from moderate to catastrophic depending on both wind speed and structural integrity. Wind damage can lead to large areas experiencing power and communication outages, uprooted trees, and impassable roads due to debris. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage.

Image of a large tree fallen on a house in late summer. Emergency personnel are evaluating the scene.

Flooding

Flooding from the extreme amounts of rain a hurricane can produce has also proven to be very deadly, both over an extended period of time as well as very short-term flash flooding. Homes and businesses could flood, and flooded roads could make travel and evacuations difficult, as well as being a potentially deadly hazard to those in vehicles or on foot. Floodwaters can also contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, wildlife, and other dangerous objects. Extreme rain from hurricanes can even flood areas that aren’t normally prone to flooding. Flooding can happen hundreds of miles inland, and can persist for several days after a storm.

A bridge over a river on a two-lane road is completely destroyed and falling into the water.

Storm Surge

Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by winds swirling around the storm, and historically has caused the largest loss of life in hurricanes. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, which can submerge entire areas, cause structural damage to buildings, and wash out roads. Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries.

Several houses along a shoreline have boarded up windows and extensive damage to their fronts stairs. Some porches are missing and debris surrounds the houses on the sandy ground in front.

Tornadoes

Hurricanes and tropical storms can also produce tornadoes. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall.


How to Prepare

National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 5 - 11th, 2024

Hurricanes affect Maine most frequently in September and October, but you can prepare NOW to weather the storm!

Here are a few things you can do to prepare ahead of time:

Know Your Risk: Water and Wind

The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. Find out today what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home.

This graphic shows an image of flooded homes and lists the steps to Know Your Risk for Water and Wind.

Prepare Before Hurricane Season

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

This graphic shows an image of emergency supplies and lists steps to prepare for hurricane season, including creating a communication plan and strengthening your home.

Understand Forecast Information

Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means.

Get Moving When a Storm Threatens

Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence.

Stay Protected During Storms

Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.

Use Caution After Storms

A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.


More Information

Hurricane Lee makes landfall in Southern Canada (Imagery from CSU/CIRA & NOAA)

NOAA Corps officers Lt. Cmdr. Brett Copare and Lt. Cmdr. David Keith at the controls of NOAA WP-3D Orion N43RF during its flight to Hurricane Lee on Sept. 8, 2023.