NASA On Air: NASA Tracks Hurricane Wind Fields (3/3/2015)

1. In this view of the Atlantic Ocean, the reds and yellows indicate warm ocean water.

2. In September 2011, Hurricane Ophelia was pushed by ocean winds right up the alley between a high and a low.

3. Just three days later, the winds changed and Hurricane Philippe was steered towards the U.S. Would Philippe threaten the East Coast?

4. No. Strong winds from the north, a cold front, caused Hurricane Philippe to take a 180-degree turn and move safely away from the U.S.

TAG: Combing satellite data with ship and buoy observations and models will help forecasters make better predictions of hurricane tracks.