Articles tagged with Hurricanes
Researchers have developed a new method to detect potential tropical cyclones using satellite data, allowing for earlier warning times of up to 40 hours. This technique uses wind speed data from the SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite to identify areas of rotating winds.
A University of Maine professor has developed a classification system to help weather forecasters and the public understand the likely impacts of winter storms. The system assigns an intensity index and category score based on air pressure and forward speed, providing insights into storm strength and duration.
A team of students and researchers from Clemson University test eight houses in coastal South Carolina to determine the most effective hurricane retrofits. The study uses various methods, including cranes and vacuum chambers, to simulate real-life conditions and evaluate the performance of different retrofit measures.
Researchers have used Empirical Mode Decomposition to analyze patterns in tropical storm occurrences along the East Coast. The technique reveals four distinct cycles, or modes, that determine the number of hurricanes making landfall each year.
Researchers from CU-Boulder are using tiny, unmanned planes to monitor conditions like temperature, humidity, and wind speed during tropical storms. The flights will provide high-resolution video footage and help understand sea-surface changes during hurricanes.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts are flying into the eyes of hurricanes using advanced airborne sensors to gather real-time data. The new IWRAP system will provide finer resolution than previous systems, enabling better predictions about storm intensity and potential path.
Researchers at Clemson University are testing 15 houses with hurricane-resistant retrofits to determine their effectiveness. The study aims to provide more accurate estimates of retrofit costs and benefits, helping homeowners decide whether the expense is worth it.
Researchers at the University of Florida have concluded that the few remaining populations of beach mice on the Florida and Alabama coasts are in substantial danger of extinction from hurricanes and continuing loss of habitat to development. The study predicts a 37-57% chance of extinction in 25 years and a 59-80% chance in 50 years.
A unique study on lizard populations reveals that the presence of a top predator can make prey populations more vulnerable to catastrophic events. The researchers found that on islands without predators, mice populations rebounded quickly after a natural disaster, whereas those with predators struggled to recover and some became extinct.
Researchers are developing a new mobile radar system called SMART-R to track tornadoes and hurricanes. The system will enable more accurate predictions of storm movements and intensities, helping to save lives by issuing warnings earlier.
A new method developed by UF engineer Michel Ochi accurately estimates the severity of waves near shore during hurricanes, helping engineers design more hurricane-ready buildings. The study also highlights the importance of tide levels at hurricane landing, making generalizations problematic.
A new wave/current/surge information system will provide accurate storm surge predictions and support evacuation plans. The system, called WAVCIS, uses offshore instruments to measure oceanographic conditions.
Researchers found a strong link between westerly winds in the Pacific and hurricane formation in the Gulf of Mexico. The Madden-Julian Oscillation repeats every 30 to 60 days and correlates with increased hurricane activity four times more likely, giving officials advance warning.
A new LSU study reconstructs past hurricane landfalls dating back 5,000 years and finds the US has a low incidence of major hurricane landfalls along the Gulf Coast over the past 1,000 years. The study provides concrete information on catastrophic hurricane landfalls in the US, with a likelihood of once every 300-600 years.
The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts a moderate 2000 season with fewer storms than recent years. This is attributed to the La Niña phenomenon weakening by next season, which should reduce its enhancing effect on hurricane formation in the Atlantic Basin.
Researchers use satellite altimetry to analyze warm ocean features and predict hurricane intensification, helping forecasters identify areas most at risk from storm surges. A study found that hurricanes crossing warm eddies intensified their winds by up to 70mph in just nine hours.
Clemson University engineers are deploying mobile data-acquisition platforms, called 'wind towers,' to measure wind speed and direction in the path of Hurricane Floyd. The goal is to provide accurate ground-level data to help develop design bases for hurricane-resistant homes.
The new satellite-based tools provide unprecedented insights into tropical cyclones, allowing scientists to break them down into their component parts. This 'data fusion' technique enables the development of advanced hurricane forecasting methods, such as Wavetrak, which sheds light on the origin and intensity of these storms.
The Johns Hopkins University hurricane test house, built in 1997, has collected over 2,000 data sets on wind pressure and movement, shedding light on the impact of powerful winds on coastal homes. The research aims to inform building codes and reduce property damage caused by hurricanes.
The Florida Coastal Monitoring Project installs 28 sensors on 10 South Florida homes to gather data on wind speed and pressure. The project aims to improve the design and construction of houses that can withstand high winds.
The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts a highly active 1999 hurricane season with landfall probabilities above average for the East Coast and Florida Peninsula. The team expects four major hurricanes with minimum winds of 111 mph, which historically cause most hurricane-spawned destruction.
Researchers gathered unprecedented data from NASA aircraft in Atlantic hurricanes Bonnie, Danielle, Earl, and Georges, shedding light on complex wind patterns and rainfall enhancement by mountains. The study aims to improve hurricane forecast capabilities, saving lives and reducing evacuation zones.
A group of engineers and scientists reconstruct hurricanes using a custom-built tower with data-gathering equipment. The goal is to fabricate house-sized hurricane-force winds at the HomeSaver national test facility.
The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts 14 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 intense hurricanes for the 1999 season. The U.S. Atlantic coast has a higher probability of being hit by major storms, with the Gulf Coast facing an increased risk of landfall.
The 1998 hurricane season saw a significant increase in storm frequency and intensity, with three hurricanes and four tropical storms making landfall along the US coastline. The season was attributed to warming ocean temperatures and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a model to predict refugee migrations, identifying long-term root causes such as weak governments and economic dependence. The model also finds that large migrations are often preceded by generalized violence or civil wars.
Hurricane Georges caused over 100 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across the Caribbean. PAHO mobilized experts to provide emergency relief supplies and repair damaged health facilities.
The third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) campaign observed rare lightning fields and purple sprites in the eye of Hurricane Georges. The team studied the hurricane's unique characteristics, including large cloud turrets and variable wind speeds.
Researchers are studying the upper levels of hurricanes to understand their mechanics, a shift from traditional middle-altitude observations. This is part of ongoing research to save lives by providing more accurate data on storm intensity and energy exchange.
Researchers from UC Davis and Washington University found that larger organisms were more resistant to hurricanes' immediate impact, but the most prolific ones recovered faster. After a year, lizard populations had not changed, while spider numbers returned to pre-hurricane levels.
A 1996 hurricane study found that recovery rates increase with dispersal ability and size, while larger organisms are more resistant to moderate disturbance. The researchers also discovered that tidal surges can cause devastation on low-lying islands.
Researchers found that El Niño years averaged only 49.3% of maximum intensity compared to 48.6% in non-El Niño years. However, this current El Niño may be different and could help solve the mystery behind increasing North Pacific hurricane intensities.
The Plowshares Project enhances the US Army's Janus combat simulation model for emergency management events. TERRA simulates disasters and models effects on population and property. It also simulates individual field units and their actions in response to emergencies, facilitating interagency cooperation.
Global climate factors point to more active storm era, with warmer sea surface temperatures and increased rainfall in the Sahel region. This trend contrasts with the most inactive four-year stretch within the same period, from 1991-94.
A new study analyzes US hurricane damage data, normalizing for inflation, coastal population increase, and wealth. It finds that landfalling hurricanes in the 1940s-1960s would have produced over $10 billion in damages if they struck today, contradicting claims of climate change causing recent damage increases.
A research team at Colorado State University predicts that the 1997 hurricane season will be above average, with 11 tropical storms expected to form. The team expects seven of these storms to become hurricanes, with three becoming major hurricanes, which cause 75% of all storm-spawned damage.
Orrin Pilkey, a nationally known authority on beach hazards, will discuss the risks of building on beaches during a media briefing in Myrtle Beach. The briefing will provide tips on minimizing storm damage and avoiding high-risk areas.