Fact Check: NOAA will still field new technologies this season to gain a better understanding of how hurricanes work, including ultra-high altitude weather balloons.

Fact Check: "NOAA will still field new technologies this season to gain a better understanding of how hurricanes work, including ultra-high altitude weather balloons."

What We Know

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has indeed announced advancements in hurricane forecasting technologies for the 2023 hurricane season. According to a report from NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory, researchers are deploying various new technologies, including small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) and enhanced ocean observing instruments, to improve hurricane track and intensity forecasts (NOAA Research Improves Hurricane Forecasts).

Additionally, NOAA has partnered with WindBorne Systems, Inc. to develop advanced weather balloons capable of collecting atmospheric data from the surface to the stratosphere. These balloons are designed for long-duration flights and can be directed in real-time to gather data from high-impact regions, which is crucial for improving weather forecasts (WindBorne Weather Balloon).

While the claim mentions "ultra-high altitude weather balloons," it is important to note that the specific balloons being developed are not classified as "ultra-high altitude" in the traditional sense, but rather as advanced weather balloons with enhanced capabilities.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible sources, including NOAA's own communications and research reports. The advancements in hurricane forecasting technologies, particularly the deployment of small uncrewed aircraft systems and the new weather balloons, are well-documented. The report highlights that these technologies are intended to improve the understanding of hurricane dynamics and enhance forecasting accuracy (NOAA Research Improves Hurricane Forecasts, WindBorne Weather Balloon).

However, the term "ultra-high altitude" may mislead some readers. The WindBorne balloons are designed for significant altitude but do not reach the extreme altitudes typically associated with "ultra-high" classifications, which often refer to altitudes above 30,000 feet. Instead, these balloons are engineered for long-duration flights and dynamic altitude control, which allows them to operate effectively in various atmospheric layers, including the lower stratosphere (WindBorne Weather Balloon).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they come directly from NOAA and related research initiatives. NOAA is a reputable federal agency responsible for monitoring and forecasting weather, and its research findings are generally considered authoritative in the field of meteorology.

Conclusion

The claim that NOAA will field new technologies this season, including advanced weather balloons, is Partially True. While NOAA is indeed implementing new technologies to enhance hurricane forecasting, the characterization of the weather balloons as "ultra-high altitude" may not accurately reflect their operational capabilities. The advancements are significant and will contribute to better understanding and forecasting of hurricanes, but the terminology used could lead to some misconceptions about the specific technologies involved.

Fact Check: NOAA will still field new technologies this season to gain a better understanding of how hurricanes work, including ultra-high altitude weather balloons.