This fall, NASA scientist Kris Bedka flew into Hurricane Helene to test a device that uses lasers to create ultradetailed wind measurements. It could be the key to unlocking better storm predictions.

Since last fall, NASA scientists have flown an advanced 3D Doppler wind lidar instrument across the United States to collect nearly 100 hours of data—including a flight through a hurricane. The goal?

The trade winds are permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in Earth's equatorial region, blowing mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern ...