While this year’s Atlantic hurricane season hasn’t been especially active, the few storms that have formed have been exceptional. And high above them, NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters have been flying dangerous, looping missions through walls of wind and rain to collect data. On Monday, Oct. 27, one of their aircraft was forced to exit Hurricane Melissa early after encountering severe turbulence within the southern eyewall, a reminder of just how perilous the job can be.

Like storm chasers on the ground, these crews undertake harrowing missions to capture vital weather information that helps to improve the forecast and keep coastal residents safe. Here are five surprising facts about the people who fly straight into the planet’s fiercest weather.

They don’t just fly into hurricanes, they crisscr

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