Why It’s So Hard to Predict Hurricane Irma’s Path
- Massive effort underway to map weather systems over U.S.
- Changing weather patterns will determine Florida’s fate
Irma in 'Perfect Storm' Conditions, Says Meteorologist
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Predicting Hurricane Irma’s path over the next few days will be harder thanks to shifting, high-elevation weather patterns that will determine whether Florida takes a direct hit or is spared the full wrath of the monster storm.
And with satellites, radar, jet aircraft and high-speed computers at hand, forecasters still rely on old-fashioned weather balloons to determine where Irma will wreak the most havoc. National Weather Service offices across the U.S. have doubled the number of data-gathering balloons launched daily to try and unlock the secrets of systems that could mean the difference between salvation and devastation across Florida.