Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Authors' Class Standing
Alexander Donato, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Alexander Paul Donato
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Randell J. Barry
Abstract
When a tropical cyclone threatens a given location, the focus is typically on issues such as “When will tropical storm force winds begin to affect that location?” While questions like this are important, especially considering the evacuation of general aviation aircraft, another important question is “What will the weather conditions be just prior to the time a tropical cyclone affects a location (i.e., during the time an evacuation is being carried out)?” The weather conditions experienced during the time when evacuations are being executed may differ from storm to storm. Being able to quantify the amount of time before conditions deteriorate for a number of storms will help us to better understand how to prepare and may give insight into the overall evolution of tropical cyclones. To accomplish this, storm tracks and reports from the National Hurricane Center and surface hourly data from the National Centers for Environmental Information were used to create analyses of aviation weather conditions for the 120 hours leading up to the first tropical storm force winds experienced at an observing site. Analyses were created for each individual storm as well as aggregates of storms based on strength, location of impact, and time of impact.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Aviation Weather Conditions Prior to Tropical Cyclone Landfalls
When a tropical cyclone threatens a given location, the focus is typically on issues such as “When will tropical storm force winds begin to affect that location?” While questions like this are important, especially considering the evacuation of general aviation aircraft, another important question is “What will the weather conditions be just prior to the time a tropical cyclone affects a location (i.e., during the time an evacuation is being carried out)?” The weather conditions experienced during the time when evacuations are being executed may differ from storm to storm. Being able to quantify the amount of time before conditions deteriorate for a number of storms will help us to better understand how to prepare and may give insight into the overall evolution of tropical cyclones. To accomplish this, storm tracks and reports from the National Hurricane Center and surface hourly data from the National Centers for Environmental Information were used to create analyses of aviation weather conditions for the 120 hours leading up to the first tropical storm force winds experienced at an observing site. Analyses were created for each individual storm as well as aggregates of storms based on strength, location of impact, and time of impact.