Planes used for investigating hurricanes and tropical cyclones are visiting Bermuda this week, according to the US Consulate.

Several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aircraft and personnel will be here to conduct hurricane research and reconnaissance.

“The planes will be used for investigation, surveillance, and radar reconnaissance missions to improve tropical cyclone forecasting,” said a press release issued today.

“Research missions support the calibration or validation of satellite measurements and instrumentation development for the tropical cyclone environment and sampling of other aspects of the tropical cyclone inner core.”

Lieutenant Commander Justin Kibbey, of the programmes and planning office for the aircraft operations centre of NOAA, explained that the administration wants to track storms further north, which is where Bermuda comes in.

US Consul General Bob Settje said: “I would like to thank the Government of Bermuda, particularly the Bermuda Weather Service and the Department of Airport Operations, for cooperating with NOAA in this effort, which will benefit both Bermuda and the United States.”