To understand how and why tornadoes form, some researchers are taking to the skies with small unmanned aircraft.

No drones have been seen in the skies above Deer Trail, Colo. But one man's mission to send a message to Washington about aerial surveillance is leading to an October vote on whether to sell drone hunting licenses. One problem: Firing at a drone would likely break federal law.

The Air Force unit that operates most of the data-collection flights might be unable to muster enough manpower if two or three storms threaten land at the same time.

So far, the Atlantic has been hurricane-free, but one forecaster points out that similar years in the past have had very active second halves.