The Hurricane Research Division's (HRD) mission is to advance the
understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical
weather. HRD's research is based on a combination of computer
models, theories, and observations, with particular emphasis on
data obtained with research aircraft.
The goals of this research are to :
-
Advance the prediction of tropical cyclone intensity change
by improving understanding of the processes that modulate internal
storm dynamics and storm interactions with the atmosphere and
ocean below;
-
Improve the prediction of tropical cyclone tracks
through an optimal analysis of observations of field observations
that enhance understanding of the interactions between a tropical
cyclone and its environment;
-
Improve the understanding of and ability to predict tropical
cyclone frequency and intensity on intraseasonal, interannual,
decadal and longer time scales; and
-
Enhance the ability to diagnose and predict the impact of
tropical cyclones on life and property through wind, rain,
waves, and storm surge.
These goals are accomplished by :
Field Research
Much of HRD's research is based on the in situ and
remotely-sensed observations in the inner core of tropical
cyclones and their surrounding environment collected in our
annual field program
using the two NOAA turboprop aircraft
and jet operated by NOAA's
Aircraft Operations Center (AOC). The
field program is used to carry out scientific experiments
designed to address the goals stated above. Data sets gathered by
these experiments, combined with dynamical and statistical models
and theoretical development, span the spectrum of spatial and
temporal scales, from global to microscale, from seconds to
centuries, forming the cornerstone of research at HRD. Because of
this extensive field experience HRD scientists are recognized
internationally for their knowledge about tropical cyclones, and
also for their expertise in technological areas such as airborne
Doppler radar, dropsondes, cloud microphysics, and air-sea
interaction, to name a few. These assets make HRD unique
worldwide, and provide NOAA a unique capability.
Coordination and Projects
HRD coordinates parts of its programs with other NOAA
organizations, e.g. AOC and
the National Center for
Environmental Prediction (NCEP), in particular the
Environmental Modeling
Center and the Tropical Prediction
Center/OAR (NHC). It maintains active
research programs
with, and receives funding from other governmental agencies, in
particular, the Department of the Navy's
Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
In program areas where its is beneficial to HRD, it arranges
cooperative programs with scientists at the
National Center for Atmospheric Research, and at a number of
universities. One of the highest priority experiments in 2002 was a
study of the upper-ocean heat content in collaboration with an
NSF sponsored research effort at
the University of Miami. Our second-highest priority (through
2004) is the Coupled
Boundary Layer Air-Sea Transfer (CBLAST) Experiment focused
on improving numerical model parameterization of the air-sea
transfer of energy that fuels the storms. HRD also integrated
two recent NASA field experiments,
the Third and Fourth Convective and Moisture Experiments (CAMEX-3
& 4), into its field program in 1998 and 2001, respectively.
NASA is considering a Fifth CAMEX in 2005.
Our current research staff consists of both
full-time U.S. Government employees and employees working under a cooperative
joint agreement with the University of Miami's CIMAS, along with several
student interns working under various grants and scholarships.
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