Front Cover:
Three-dimensional model view of Hurricane Andrew (August 1992) approaching the Florida coast. Results were obtained from a forecast, in research mode, using the dynamical hurricane prediction system developed at GFDL. Winds in excess of gale force are indicated by the white and red arrows at the surface and top of the storm, respectively. The color shading at the earth's surface represents the precipitation rate. Note the intense precipitation (red) surrounding the storm center and the rain bands (green) in the outer regions of the storm. The tan three-dimensional "cloud-like" feature is the 85% relative humidity surface, cut away on its southern side to reveal the hurricane's interior structure. The tube-like feature extending upward near the center of the storm encompasses an "eye-like" region of drier air and weak sinking motion. The blue arrows and colored plane at mid-levels indicate the relative intensity of vertical motions outside the "eye" region. Starting with the 1995 hurricane season, the
GFDL hurricane prediction system has been adopted as the operational hurricane prediction model at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (formerly the National Meteorological Center).