NASA tools get inside look at Earl

BOSTON --- NASA is using state-of-the-art tools to get inside of Hurricane Earl.

NASA Hurricane Scientist Jeff Halverson explained some new technology that's giving a clearer picture of Earl.

“What it's letting us do is help understand intensity change question,” said Halverson.

It may look and sound like science fiction, but Halverson said it gathers valuable information.

“These aircraft are collecting unique types of data: winds, pressure, rainfall,” Halverson said.

It involves special planes dropping special instruments right into the storm.

“As they fall through the storm, they gather information on temperature, pressure, winds, humidity…send it back by radio up to the aircraft. That’s how we get into the heart of the system,” Halverson said.

While NASA scientists don't forecast storms, imaging technology gives them an idea of a storm's personality.

Halverson said he expected Earl to be a potent threat.

“It's going to be over significantly cooler water. It’s going to be encountering stronger winds in the upper atmosphere. It’s probably going to undergo what we call ‘extra-tropical transition,’ which means it’s going to start to take on characteristics of an ordinary weather system that normally comes through those parts this time of year. But it’s going to still pack a powerful punch in terms of wind and heavy rain. Everyone up there should be bracing for a significant impact,” Halverson said.

While some of the data collected is instant, most of it is processed and analyzed over weeks and months. It is then used in the future to better understand tropical systems.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)