Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
A recent white paper by leading coastal scientists suggests that wetlands restoration projects may not provide long-term storm protection for the Louisiana Coast. The researchers argue that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of such initiatives in reducing storm impacts.
Researchers found that 52% of respondents reported poor mental health, while 48% reported poor physical health, with some issues tripling after the hurricane. The study highlights the need for continued support and interventions to address long-term health problems in disaster survivors.
A new study led by FSU researcher James B. Elsner found that the strongest tropical cyclones are getting stronger, particularly over the North Atlantic and Indian oceans. Ocean temperatures play a role in driving this trend, consistent with the 'heat-engine' theory of cyclone intensity.
A recent study found that white Americans' attitudes towards blacks were affected when exposed to video presentations blaming the government's response on racism or incompetence. Whites displayed strong positive attitudes towards themselves rather than negative ones towards blacks, according to the research.
Researchers are conducting the first-ever tests on a full-scale house to simulate hurricane-force winds, using pressure boxes to create realistic conditions. The goal is to understand how buildings fail and make them safer through basic additions and amendments.
A new NASA study reveals that Saharan dry air and dust likely contributed to the quieter-than-expected 2007 hurricane season. The research found a correlation between the extent of dry air and dust in the North Atlantic and lower sea surface temperatures, atmospheric stability, and reduced hurricane formation.
A recent study predicts a fast rise in scorching days, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. Another record reveals a 1000-year history of hurricane activity in Boston, Massachusetts. Climate zones are also shifting southward in Australia due to warming sea surface temperatures.
A new study suggests that global warming may lead to fewer hurricanes forming, but those that do could intensify. The research uses more accurate computer models to simulate hurricane formation and finds that warmer ocean temperatures suppress formation rather than encouraging it.
A recent survey conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that nearly one-third of those affected by Hurricane Katrina report they are very prepared if a major hurricane were to strike their communities in the next six months. Key concerns include having enough fresh water and medical care, with 42% and 41% of respon...
The University of Miami's CSTARS will host a library of high-quality images collected via spaceborne C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to aid in understanding hurricane and typhoon dynamics. The database will provide approved scientists with free access to imagery that can help shape storm models and resource distribution.
NC State University is leading a $236,000 nationwide effort to recruit and mentor young researchers to study disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The project aims to train well-equipped experts to analyze disaster impacts, building on earlier projects led by Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution found that jet streams in both hemispheres have risen in altitude and shifted towards the poles, possibly due to global warming. This shift may lead to changes in storm patterns, including more powerful and frequent hurricanes.
Researchers at MIT are exploring a new method to measure hurricane strength using underwater microphones, which could lead to cheaper early-warning systems. The approach was validated by measurements from Hurricane Gert in 1999, providing accurate results comparable to aircraft-based methods.
The National Hurricane Center will implement a new technique, VORTRAC, to continually monitor landfalling storms in the United States. VORTRAC uses existing coastal Doppler radars to provide details on hurricane winds and central pressure every six minutes.
The 'eye of a hurricane' on Venus is an enormous 2000 km-wide vortex with a central core that appears bright in thermal infrared images, indicating high atmospheric gas movement. Scientists are still unsure what creates the complex and dynamic nature of this feature.
Researchers identify volatile compounds, including terpenoids and fatty acids, as a powerful attractant for nutria. These compounds can serve as a tool in controlling the spread of nutria in coastal ecospheres, offering an environmentally friendly bait technique.
A 0.5°C increase in sea surface temperature is associated with a 40% increase in hurricane activity and frequency in the tropical North Atlantic region. The research, conducted by University College London scientists, quantifies the link between sea surface warming and hurricane activity for the first time.
Researchers from NOAA and University of Miami found that natural climate variations can impact hurricane intensity. They discovered that regions with warmer oceans have increased potential intensity, while others experience decreased potential intensity.
Researchers found that smaller tropical storms and depressions contribute significantly to cumulative rainfall, with over half of the seasonal rainfall attributed to these weaker systems. In contrast, major hurricanes produce heavy rainfall on any given day but are not the primary storm type relieving drought in the region.
A study of 1,043 residents found that almost half had evidence of an anxiety or mood disorder five to seven months after the hurricane. The rate was highest among New Orleans residents, who were more likely to develop such disorders following physical adversity, property loss, and stressors associated with the slow government response.
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have found that a basin-wide circulation pattern drives Atlantic hurricane activity. The study reveals that Atlantic hurricanes will be more sensitive to climate changes than storms in other ocean basins, with warmer oceans indicating ideal conditions for development. Understanding this relati...
A study by Rafael Reuveny examines the impact of climate change on population migration and conflict. He advocates for a five-step approach to minimize climate change-induced migration and violent conflict in receiving areas.
Four distinct skin disorders were found in construction workers who helped repair buildings after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. These disorders affected 42.6% of the workers, with papular urticaria being the most common, followed by bacterial folliculitis and fiberglass dermatitis.
A comprehensive survey of Hurricane Katrina survivors found a significant increase in mental disorders, including depression and anxiety-mood disorders. The prevalence of PTSD also doubled in some areas, with no change in others.
A RAND Corporation study found that many schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas struggled to provide ongoing mental health support to students displaced by the hurricanes. Despite initial efforts, schools often returned to academics-only focus within six months, citing barriers such as lack of resources and staff training.
Scientists at NRL capture first images of a comet colliding with a solar hurricane, revealing the detachment of the comet's tail due to coronal mass ejection. The event is triggered by magnetic reconnection, releasing energy and detaching the plasma tail.
A NASA satellite has captured the first-ever images of a comet's plasma tail detaching from Encke's comet due to a coronal mass ejection. The event was triggered by magnetic reconnection between the comet's and solar wind fields, releasing a burst of energy that detached the tail.
Researchers can now investigate the relationship between eyewall lightning outbreaks and hurricane strength using highly-sensitive sensors thousands of miles from the storm. The study, supported by NASA and the U.S. Office of Naval Research, uses data from a network of new sensors to improve hurricane forecasts and potentially save lives.
The US Department of Homeland Security is working on a comprehensive project to identify technologies and procedures to rapidly assess and repair levees. The goal is to limit trouble when a levee breaches or prevent such breaks from happening again, using innovative designs, materials, and approaches. The project aims to develop soluti...
ESA's Envisat and ERS-2 satellites track Hurricane Dean's path and strength, providing timely warnings with high-resolution cloud structure and wind field data. The satellites' instruments also measure sea surface temperature and height, allowing researchers to predict the hurricane's potential impact on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Sea surface temperatures are crucial for tropical cyclone formation, and recent data shows warming in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and eastern Atlantic. This warming contributed to Hurricane Dean and Tropical Storm Erin, with forecasters warning that the upcoming hurricane season will be a mixed bag.
A new study suggests that warmer sea surface temperatures and altered wind patterns are fueling the increase in Atlantic hurricane activity. The analysis indicates that climate change is a major factor in the rising number of hurricanes, with correlations closely tied to SSTs.
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard University found that perceived neediness, rather than race, drives charitable giving to Hurricane Katrina victims. Within subgroups of whites, racial bias affects giving to blacks, while non-identifying whites give more to blacks.
A recent study by Kent State University found that nearly 90% of senior residents in four cities were aware of heat warnings, but only half took action. The study highlights the importance of effective heat warning systems to prevent heat-related deaths.
Kent State University meteorologist Dr. Thomas Schmidlin studied parking garage safety as a 'refuge of last resort' during hurricanes. At what wind speeds are emergency vehicles safe to respond to emergencies?
Researchers can now predict where tropical storms and hurricanes will dump the most rain — even days after — and hundreds of miles away from landfall. The new tools, developed by Corene Matyas, use geographical information systems (GIS) to model rainfall patterns based on storm intensity, distance inland, and landscape topography.
Researchers Shepherd and Knutson discuss the ongoing debate over global warming's influence on hurricanes, citing a need for a balanced perspective. The authors argue that significantly more research is needed to determine if a global warming influence is detectable in observed hurricane records.
A study found a reversal of gender distribution among patients presenting to the sleep center after Hurricane Katrina, with increased complaints of insomnia and decreased daytime fatigue. The results suggest that disaster relief can disrupt sleep patterns, affecting physical health and emotional well-being.
The University of Georgia study reveals that violence incurs significant economic costs, with the majority falling on males aged 15 to 44. The research highlights the benefits of preventing interpersonal and self-inflicted violence through targeted interventions.
The ASCE panel's report confirms the city's vulnerability to hurricanes and recommends steps to reduce damage. The panel estimates that New Orleans residents' pre-Katrina risk was 1,000-fold higher than considered minimally acceptable.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that tropical cyclones and hurricanes cool the tropics by forming 'cold wakes' that transport heat and maintain the climate of North America and Europe. The findings suggest an additional factor is needed in climate models to accurately predict future climate scenarios.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compiled longest-ever record of Atlantic hurricane strikes, revealing strong connection between El Niño/Southern Oscillation and West African monsoon. Long-term trends indicate periods of more frequent intense hurricanes from 5,000 to 3,600 years ago and 1700 AD to present.
A new technique called VORTRAC will provide a detailed 3D view of hurricane winds every six minutes, allowing forecasters to determine the storm's strength as it approaches land. This will enable rapid alerts for coastal communities if the hurricane suddenly intensifies or weakens.
Computer simulations of Hurricane Bonnie's movement show that pockets of warm humid air flowing from the hurricane's eye to its ring of thunderstorms boost energy, increasing storm strength. This 'turbocharger' effect helps hurricanes remain intense despite weakening influences like cooler ocean temperatures and wind shear.
A study by UCLA researchers found that Hurricane Katrina evacuees held deep distrust towards public health authorities, citing issues with competency, equity, and honesty. The researchers recommend increasing community representation in disaster planning to address these concerns.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found high levels of bacteria and pathogens in water and sediment samples from New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, emphasizing the importance of rapid environmental assessments. The study suggests that sediments can pose a risk to public health d...
A new high-resolution computer model has been developed to better understand how air-sea interactions affect hurricane intensity. The model uses detailed data from the Coupled Boundary Layer Air-Sea Transfer (CBLAST) field program, which provided unprecedented information about ocean and sea surface conditions near hurricanes.
The study found that strong extended family ties facilitated evacuation decisions, providing access to transportation and shelter, but also hindered it by creating conflicting opinions about evacuation messages. This highlights the importance of considering social networks in disaster planning for vulnerable communities.
The study reports on a case-based approach to managing forest ecosystems before and after hurricanes, considering risk assessment and outcome mitigation strategies. Key findings include the importance of stand spacing, tree height, and species selection in reducing hurricane damage, as well as the need for long-term recovery plans.
Climate model simulations indicate a robust increase in wind shear in the tropical Atlantic, which could counteract global warming's effects on hurricane intensity. The study suggests that increased wind shear may inhibit both hurricane development and intensification.
A Princeton University research team studied the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, discovering that hurricanes and tsunamis can inflict similar forces on structures. The team's findings suggest that storm surges, in particular, can cause significant damage to buildings and bridges.
Researchers directly derived air-sea momentum exchange from ocean current observations under Hurricane Ivan, confirming the trend that momentum transfer decreases at high wind speeds. The findings improve storm surge modeling and have significant implications for ocean circulation and numerical model accuracy.
A NASA study suggests that tiny dust particles may have contributed to the relatively calm 2006 Atlantic hurricane season by cooling ocean waters. The research found that Saharan dust concentrations played a major role in shaping the season, potentially even initiating pre-existing conditions due to El Niño.
A team of LSU researchers, led by John Day, join forces with world-renowned coastal scientists to publish a commentary on delta preservation. The article emphasizes the need for science-guided restoration efforts in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain due to climate change and resource scarcity.
A study led by LSU Professor Kam-biu Liu reveals that the chances of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane directly hitting any Gulf location are approximately 0.03 percent annually, contradicting previous assumptions.
NASA scientists studied thunderstorms off the African coast using satellites and airplanes to better understand hurricane formation. They discovered that dust plumes from the Saharan Air Layer can suppress hurricane development, but the exact mechanisms are unclear.
Researchers found that patients who experienced damage to their residences were nearly twice as likely to fail to completely follow their medicine regimen. The study suggests opportunities for improving disaster planning and prescription refill processes to increase medication adherence in older adults.
Researchers have discovered that rapid hurricane intensity changes can be attributed to clouds outside the eye forming a new eyewall. This finding has significant implications for hurricane forecasting, as it may enable forecasters to predict when a storm will change intensity and how strong it will become.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that warmer temperatures contribute to increased hurricane intensity in the Atlantic Ocean. However, this trend does not hold up in other oceans, highlighting the need for further research.