Have you ever been inside a Category 4 hurricane at sea? Likely not! But this is what it would look like!

Saildrone, a California-based company teamed up with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and many scientists, to deploy several un-manned surfboards across the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.

This was with the aim to collect invaluable hurricane information, but also other ocean measurements to monitor the ecosystem and understand climate change, map the ocean better and improve maritime security. They are also powered mainly by renewable wind and solar energy.

In 2021, the company intercepted Major Hurricane Sam. They captured the first images inside a major category hurricane. Back then, Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 measured winds gusting above 120mph and over 15 metre waves!

Fast forward to 2022, and Saildrone Explorer SD 1078 gets inside Fiona and captures incredible images too! Measurements recorded more than 100mph winds and 15 metre high waves.

SD 1078 is one of seven Saildrones operating in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico during this hurricane season and is able to provide data in the most extreme weather conditions.

Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder, and CEO, hopes that Saildrones vehicles will help the science community get a better understanding of rapid intensification, but also reduce the loss of life by giving coastal residents more time to prepare.