Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How do you improve hurricane forecasts? By studying one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth up close—where the ocean meets the atmosphere.
In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Professor David Richter explains how new drone technology is helping scientists better understand what happens inside a hurricane close to the ocean’s surface—and why this research is vital for improving forecasts. Richter also reflects on how his work connects to a deeper calling, and how he challenges students to see engineering as both a technical pursuit and a human vocation.
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Show links:
• Episode Page (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/podcast/)
• Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts (https://go.nd.edu/fighting-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts)
• Subscribe (https://go.nd.edu/nd-stories-podcast)
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Why hurricanes are difficult to forecast
03:13 How drones are advancing hurricane research
04:57 How aerial drones are deployed over hurricanes
07:00 How aerial drones capture hurricane data
09:04 Fluid Dynamics Professor David Richter shares how his faith guides his research
10:38 Engineering and the Human Vocation
How do you improve hurricane forecasts? By studying one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth up close—where the ocean meets the atmosphere.
In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Professor David Richter explains how new drone technology is helping scientists better understand what happens inside a hurricane close to the ocean’s surface—and why this research is vital for improving forecasts. Richter also reflects on how his work connects to a deeper calling, and how he challenges students to see engineering as both a technical pursuit and a human vocation.
---
Show links:
• Episode Page (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/podcast/)
• Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts (https://go.nd.edu/fighting-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts)
• Subscribe (https://go.nd.edu/nd-stories-podcast)
---
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Why hurricanes are difficult to forecast
03:13 How drones are advancing hurricane research
04:57 How aerial drones are deployed over hurricanes
07:00 How aerial drones capture hurricane data
09:04 Fluid Dynamics Professor David Richter shares how his faith guides his research
10:38 Engineering and the Human Vocation
