Every summer, billions of corn plants release enormous amounts of water vapor into the air. Meteorologists call it “corn sweat,” and it can actually make hot days feel even more miserable.

Why would meteorologists send an airplane straight into a storm that isn’t even officially a tropical cyclone yet? It sounds impossible, but Hurricane Hunters do it all the time. Here’s why those daring flights are one of the most important tools in hurricane forecasting.

It starts with an ordinary cluster of thunderstorms that most people would never notice. But under the right conditions, those storms can organize, strengthen, and eventually become a tropical storm. This week’s Gulf system offers a fascinating, real-world look at how tropical cyclones are born and why meteorologists often spot the signs days before the rest of us.