Why can't the hurricane hunters fly over land?

[micktooth]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. Why can't the hurricane hunters fly into a storm while it is over a land mass. Is it for safety reasons or is it a national sovereignty issue. I know they can't use dropsondes and the like, but they can still take measurements, can't they. Just something I've always wondered and I know y'all will have the answer.

[Scorpion]

Turbulence is alot worse.

[ericinmia]

They do fly over land... just some activities such as heights and such are limited.

Example was the constant flights through Hurricane Andrew as he was coming ashore. These were the main basis for his wind readings because of the obvious equipment losses.
-Eric

BTW, some countries like Cuba... usually don't allow the planes to fly into their air space. However, they have occasionally allowed it when they know it will benefit them. I believe they allowed flights into Ivan last year, and a few other storms in the past couple years.

[FritzPaul]

I thought I remember some recon when Dennis was within Cuba's intl. waters.