NOAA and HurricanesMeeting the Challenge

Scott Kiser – NOAA’s NWS Tropical Cyclone Program Manager

Scott Carter – NOAA Legislative Affairs

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

• Growing coastal population and infrastructure

• Increase in tropical cyclone activity

Facing the Challenges

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

• Improved physics

• Coupling the atmosphere with the ocean

• HWRF – model of the future

Meeting the ChallengesModel Improvements

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

• Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT)

• Mission: To transfer more rapidly and smoothly new technology, research results, and observational advances into improved tropical cyclone analysis and prediction at operational centers.

• NOAA, Navy, and NASA

Meeting the ChallengesResearch to Operations

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

Meeting the ChallengesProbabilistic Information

Wind Speed Wind Speed ProbabilityProbabilityGraphicGraphicProductProduct

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

Meeting the ChallengesProbabilistic Information

Wind Speed Wind Speed ProbabilityProbability

TextTextProductProduct

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

Meeting the ChallengesIncreased Data Collection

• GI-V, P-3, and USAFR aircraft– Reconnaissance– Surveillance

• Dropwindsondes• SFMR

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

• Training of local, state, federal and international emergency managers

• Hurricane Awareness Tours

• Internet

• Continue and strengthen partnerships with media, private weather sector, and emergency management

Meeting the ChallengesEducation, Outreach & Partnerships

“Taking the pulse of the planet”

• Come a long way in hurricane prediction

• Remain vulnerable to a hurricane catastrophe

WWW.NHC.NOAA.GOV

Final Thoughts