In some embodiments, a method for monitoring tropical storm conditions includes determining a target sea-surface path relative to a tropical storm center where in situ measurements are desired. A buoy is configured to include one or more sensors for one or more in situ measurements and to move relative to a local wind in the tropical storm so as to approximately follow the target sea surface path. The buoy is deployed in the tropical storm at a location substantively on the target sea surface path. In some embodiments, a buoy includes means for automatically maintaining position near a sea surface, moving at a particular direction and a particular speed relative to a local wind, measuring one or more environmental conditions in a vicinity of the buoy, and sending, to a remote facility, observation data based on output from the means for measuring one or more conditions.