Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds in the Central Plains; Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall in the Lower Mississippi Valley

Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected across the Central Plains into the Mid Missouri Valley. Widespread precipitation and heavy mountain snow will continue across the Northwest. Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening from parts of east Texas into Louisiana. Heavy rainfall is likely tonight across eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Read More >

Interested in weather?

Interested in aircraft?

Well, good news!

Hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Air Force (USAF) will visit five U.S. Gulf Coast cities this spring, flying aboard a USAF Reserve WC-130J hurricane hunter aircraft and a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft. The main purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the impacts from tropical cyclones and the danger of being caught without a personal hurricane plan...and they are bringing this tour right here to Norfolk!

This event will be held at Norfolk International Airport on May 8th and best of all...it's free!

Find out more information about the event below:

Event Information

What: 2024 Hurricane Awareness Tour

Where: Signature Aviation at Norfolk International Airport - Norfolk, VA

6101 Burton Station Rd
Norfolk, VA 23502

When: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

2 PM - 4 PM (Gates close at 3 PM to new entries)

Admission: FREE!

Things To Do:

Tour Hurricane Hunter aircraft
Meet the pilots & flight crew
Speak with hurricane forecasters
Meet with local National Weather Service meteorologists
Walk through exhibits from various agencies & organizations
Learn about weather safety & preparedness

About the Planes

	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 and storms, hurricanes and winter storms and 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. Orion aircraft collects low-altitude data to fill gaps in data not available from ground-based radar or satellite imagery.

Other	There will be a variety of other vehicles displayed during this event: VDEM Mobile Command Unit Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Safe Boat Hampton Emergency Management Command Bus City of Norfolk Fire Truck City of Norfolk Police Department UVAs

Schedule

Time (EDT)	Event
2:00 - 4:00 PM	Public Tours
3:00 PM	GATES CLOSE TO NEW ENTRIES
4:00 PM	End of Event

Directions & Parking

The address of this event is: 6101 Burton Station Rd, Norfolk, VA 23502

The Primary Parking Location will be in front of the Signature Aviation Offices as seen in the image below.

Participants

List of Booths:

NWS Wakefield
Virginia department of Emergency Management
CITY OF Norfolk Office of emergency manageMENT
CITY OF virginia beach Office of emergency manageMENT
CITY OF chesapeake Office of emergency manageMENT
CITY OF portsmouth Office of emergency manageMENT
United States Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk division
hampton public-service team -- amateur radio operators
USAA - UNITED SERVICES Automobile association
FLASH - fEDERAL aLLIANCE FOR SAFE HOMES
lowes home improvement
ashbritt management and logistics

Hurricane Information and Safety

Click the image above to visit NWS' Hurricane Preparedness website.

2024 National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 5-11, 2024

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm.

Know Your Risk: Water & Wind

Prepare Before Hurricane Season

Understand Forecast Information

Get Moving When a Storm Threatens

Stay Protected During Storms

Use Caution After Storms

Take Action Today