Research on hurricanes and tropical storms. Covers AI storm tracking, wind-damage assessment, warning systems, and Hurricane Hunter data.
Researchers used NASA's TRMM satellite data to analyze temperature changes inside hurricanes, providing clues about storm transformations. The study sheds light on the stages of extra-tropical storms and helps forecasters better understand hurricane development.
Researchers analyzed data from multiple satellites, including NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, to understand the rapid weakening of Hurricane Lili in 2002. The study found that dry air moving into the storm's low levels created an 'open eyewall' that led to a significant decrease in strength.
A demographic analysis reveals significant disparities between damaged areas and undamaged zones, with black and poor residents facing greater odds of harm. The findings have implications for the future of the Gulf region, particularly in New Orleans.
A study found that hazard mitigation grants can save up to $14 billion over 10 years by reducing property damage and loss of life. The grants also help reduce tax revenue losses due to economic disruption caused by natural hazards.
Hurricane Isabel caused widespread devastation to the Chesapeake Bay in 2003, with storm surges and floodwaters destroying homes and infrastructure. However, the event also had a positive impact on the Bay's ecosystem, with increased recruitment of juvenile Atlantic croaker.
A Senate committee hearing explored the cause of levee failures in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The investigation found that a soft, spongy layer of swamp peat underneath some levee sections may have contributed to breaches, and further analysis is needed to determine its extent.
Researchers use microfossils to analyze coastal sediment cores, revealing evidence of less frequent major storms in recent centuries. However, results may be affected by other environmental factors, such as rising sea levels.
The new NASA animation shows the tracks of all 21 named storms, including Arlene and Wilma. The video is available for download in various formats, including MPEG-1 and JPEG.
Displaced people face increased risk of infectious diseases due to poor sanitation and limited access to medical services. Improving public health systems through mass vaccinations is key to preventing disease outbreaks.
The ICSU Scoping Group on Human-Induced Environmental Hazards aims to provide a strong scientific basis for reducing risks and consequences of natural hazards. Recent disasters show a dramatic increase in natural disasters, causing significant economic loss and human displacement.
The study revealed significant changes to the island, including beach erosion and overwash deposition. The data will be used to develop computer models predicting coastal impacts from severe storms.
A study by Louisiana State University researchers has found that Katrina floodwaters were not as toxic as previously thought, but still contained high levels of certain metals and bacteria. The findings suggest that while the floodwaters posed some risks to human health, they were not the chemical catastrophe initially predicted.
A team of experts is investigating the damage caused by wind-driven waves and overtopping, as well as emergency patch effectiveness and decision-making processes behind levee configurations. The study aims to improve levee design to withstand potential terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
The UCSD-led team has built a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess toxic hazards from Katrina. The system will enable secure data sharing and collaborative analysis among experts nationwide.
Researchers dropped instruments called dropsondes into the hurricane to measure temperature, pressure, winds, and more. The study reconstructed the structure of the eye in three dimensions from high altitude to great detail.
Researchers from NSF deployed instruments to measure water temperature and currents in the Gulf of Mexico. The results suggest that deep, warm eddies in the Loop Current play a crucial role in intensifying hurricanes. This study provides new insights into hurricane intensity changes during landfall.
The Galveston 1900 Hurricane is a devastating event studied in a chapter by Robert Simpson, a renowned expert on severe weather. The hurricane led to the development of the Saffir-Simpson scale for classifying potential damage from hurricanes.
A new weather model, ARW, uses high-resolution data to predict hurricane intensity and location of fine-scale rain bands. This enables better warning systems for floods, power outages, and road blockage.
The survey found that 52% of Katrina evacuees had no health insurance coverage at the time of the hurricane. Many reported experiencing health problems or injuries as a result of the storm and were struggling to access necessary care, with 39% reporting they didn't receive help from any government agency or voluntary group.
A study found that hurricanes have become more intense and frequent worldwide, especially in the North Atlantic, with Category 4 and 5 storms increasing by 56% since 1975-89. Sea surface temperatures have risen across the globe, contributing to the observed changes.
A study by Georgia Tech researchers found the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has nearly doubled over 35 years, despite a decrease in total hurricanes. Global sea surface temperatures have increased, driving this shift.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Tropical Cyclones group is using its specialized tools to help forecasters track Hurricane Ophelia. The tools provide critical information on the storm's trajectory and intensity, enabling more accurate forecasts and helping to save lives.
The American Physiological Society is offering $2,000 Katrina grants to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows affected by the hurricane. Over 40 universities are providing assistance with laboratory space, research assistance, fellowships, housing, meals, and stipends.
The NIEHS Hurricane Katrina Information Website offers a wealth of information on environmental pollutants and their potential impact on human health. The website draws from various sources, including research programs and Superfund Basic Research Program data.
The Linked Environments Atmospheric Discovery project aims to create a high-speed computing infrastructure for timely and accurate weather forecasts. The system will pool data from various sources, including ground sensors, satellites, and radars, to launch hundreds of simulations at the same time, resulting in more accurate predictions.
According to Irvine, no animals had to be euthanized due to lack of space after Hurricane Charley. She studied how human attitudes and myths influence emergency workers' approach to free-roaming animals during disasters.
A growing coastal population is set to experience more frequent and intense natural disasters due to climate change. Healthy ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangrove forests can provide natural barriers and absorb the impact of these disasters, whereas man-made structures are less effective.
Researchers have developed a new technique using oxygen isotopes in tree rings to identify past hurricanes. By analyzing late-season growth, they found records of all known hurricanes that hit the Southeastern US over the past 50 years, and even back as far as 1450 AD.
During NRL's Slope to Shelf Energetics and Exchange Dynamics field experiment, six current profiler moorings deployed on the continental shelf directly measured large waves up to 27.7 meters high during Hurricane Ivan. The measurements provide valuable data for assessing potential impacts of energetic storm waves on offshore structures.
A new study reveals that ocean spray plays a crucial role in lubricating the swirling winds of hurricanes and cyclones. The researchers found that large water droplets kicked up by rough seas can inhibit turbulence, allowing winds to build to speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.
Scientists at NASA have developed a way to process radar data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, providing 3D snapshots of hurricanes. This allows forecasters to access information on heavy rainfall rates and cloud heights within three hours, helping them make more accurate forecasts.
The study found that homes built under the Florida Building Code since 2002 sustained less damage than those built between 1994 and 2001. The research also highlighted the effectiveness of recent code requirements, such as reinforced garage doors, in reducing hurricane-related damage.
Researchers will monitor oceanic thunderstorms to study why some systems develop into tropical cyclones and some do not. The data could support development of a more accurate and timely warning system to help safeguard property and lives.
Climate expert Kevin Trenberth warns that hurricanes will intensify due to global warming, fueled by rising ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric water vapor. This may lead to heavier rains and an increased risk of flooding at landfall, particularly in the US coastline.
Researchers found that ozone levels are closely related to the formation, intensification and movement of hurricanes. The study's findings can help improve predicted tracks and lead to better tracking of storms. Ozone data can provide a clearer view of a hurricane's eye, aiding in storm position pinpointing.
Researchers found a strong relationship between ozone levels and hurricane behavior, enabling better tracking and forecasting. Ozone data helps pinpoint the storm's eye, leading to more accurate predictions of hurricane movement.
Researchers have developed a new model that accurately forecasts US hurricane activity, enabling skilful seasonal predictions to benefit individuals and decision-makers. The model uses height-averaged winds as a predictor, exhibiting significant linkages to US landfalling hurricanes.
Scientists are investigating ways to stop rapid deterioration and restore marsh land in Louisiana's southern coastal wetlands, which are losing a football field-sized area every 35 minutes. The consequences of losing the wetlands will be far-reaching, affecting oil and gas prices, causing them to rise everywhere.
Researchers study the impact of hurricanes on coral reefs in South Florida, finding a temporary removal of invasive seaweed. However, experts caution that without addressing nutrient pollution and its root causes, reefs will remain vulnerable to similar problems.
The CBLAST-Hurricane project is using new ocean probes to collect data on water conditions before, during, and after hurricanes. This information helps scientists develop better models to predict a hurricane's development, which can inform the size of storm surges that pose a threat to ships in port.
The study combined three computer models to investigate the effect of surface waves and wind on hurricane dynamics. The team found a new characterization of the effect of surface waves on air-sea momentum under hurricane wind forcing, which is necessary for accurate predictions of track and intensity.
Researchers analyzed 324 combinations of public and private wind speed and damage models, finding vastly different results due to varying inputs. Creating a centralized database of wind speeds and requiring insurance companies to divulge more information about damage claims could help improve the accuracy of these models.
The USGS and NASA have surveyed the islands, providing detailed elevation maps of the 'first line of defense,' which is less than half the average east coast elevation. The maps show that up to 70% of the first line of defense would be inundated by storm surge associated with Categories 1-5 hurricanes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a computational platform to calculate wind loads and structural capacities of low-rise buildings. The goal is to appreciably reduce damage and increase safety for residential, institutional, and commercial structures vulnerable to extreme winds.
The TRMM satellite has provided new insights into rainfall patterns in tropical cyclones, revealing that heaviest rains fall within 50km of a storm's center. This study improves forecast accuracy and can help with the development of better weather forecasts.
Researchers develop a new Coupled Wave-Wind model to estimate hurricane speed and intensity, incorporating surface breaking waves. The improved model aims to enhance forecast skills and mitigate natural hazards caused by hurricanes.
A single individual of the Cozumel Thrasher, a bird species believed to be extinct for over 35 years, has been confirmed by field biologists. The rediscovery opens possibilities for establishing protected areas and conserving this unique species and its habitat.
Hurricanes stimulate phytoplankton growth, leading to increased chlorophyll levels and carbon dioxide absorption. Bigger storms cause larger blooms, affecting the upper ocean's ecology and potentially influencing climate change.
A team of scientists found that the estuaries were resilient and recovered quickly from the storms, with most shellfish and finfish populations returning to normal. However, blue crabs took longer to recover due to overfishing and floodwaters disrupting their migration patterns.
A new UNC study found that child abuse brain injuries were five times more common in the hardest-hit counties after Hurricane Floyd, while non-abuse injuries increased by over 10 times. The research suggests that families affected by the disaster experienced heightened stress, poverty, and depression.
NIST develops standardized emergency response software and proposes industry-government collaboration to enhance interoperability. The proposed Electronic Emergency Response Framework will provide decision-makers with easily accessible modeling and simulation tools.
The SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite provides ocean surface wind speed and direction measurements, leading to improved storm predictions at sea. This increased accuracy brings economic savings and reduces weather-related loss of life, especially in global shipping.
A study by NASA researchers found that tropical cyclones with 'hot towers' in their eyewall are twice as likely to intensify within six hours. The researchers used TRMM satellite data to compile global statistics on hot tower occurrence and define a nine-mile high threshold for classification.
The USWRP's improvements to the global computer forecast model developed at NOAA's Environmental Modeling Center have led to a significant boost in hurricane track forecast accuracy. Since 2000, NHC forecasts have benefited from these advancements, predicting Atlantic tropical cyclones' tracks about 35% more accurately than prior to 2000.
The CBLAST project aims to provide more accurate predictions of hurricane intensity, landfall, and storm surge using new data-collection instruments and computer models. This research will help save lives and reduce economic losses for citizens and the Navy.
The DOWs will deploy at or near the coast in the direct path of the storm, collecting high-resolution data and rapid-scan Doppler radar data from inside the eye. The Rapid-DOW can visualize three-dimensional volumes in 5 to 10 seconds, observing boundary layer rolls, wind gusts, and other phenomena as they evolve.
Clemson researchers are using innovative 'wind towers' to gather high-resolution wind speed data near the ground, crucial for developing hurricane-resistant homes. The device's output will be used to refine building codes and potentially reduce construction costs.
NASA satellites sample critical 'ingredients' to predict hurricane formation, including sea surface temperature of at least 82 F, rotating winds, air temperature, and humidity. The data helps forecasters determine storm strength, location, and tracks.
Dr. Ginis receives two-year grant to improve hurricane forecasting model and enhance storm prediction capabilities. The model, developed in collaboration with NOAA scientists, aims to better understand and predict extreme winds and heavy rain causing $5 billion in annual damages.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that Hurricane Floyd caused substantial changes in healthcare patterns that lasted for over a year. The storm led to increased use of emergency rooms and outpatient services, particularly among Medicaid recipients, with estimated costs of $13.3 million.