New research reveals how hurricane hunters improve forecasts before and after landfall

New NOAA research shows hurricane hunter data improves track and intensity forecasts by 10-20%, saving $25 million per hurricane impact. The study also found post-landfall rainfall forecasts improved for storms like Harvey (2017) and Florence (2018). A bipartisan bill proposes $2.5 billion to expand NOAA's aging hurricane hunter fleet from 3 to 9 aircraft.