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Abstract
Two soundings from the eye of Hurricane Gloria (1985) during a period of rapid deepening are described. The soundings were made by Omega dropwindsondes (ODWs) during research flights of the NOAA Hurricane Research Division on 24–25 September 1985. During the 4.7 hours between the two ODW drops. Gloria's minimum sea-level pressure fell from 932 to 922 mb.
The ODWs indicate substantial warming due to dry-adiabatic descent from 580 to 660 mb. Descent rates are estimated to be about 11 cm s−1. Near 500 mb, ascent is indicated. Approximately 60% of the 10 mb pressure fall is associated with thermodynamic changes below 500 mb.
Abstract
Two soundings from the eye of Hurricane Gloria (1985) during a period of rapid deepening are described. The soundings were made by Omega dropwindsondes (ODWs) during research flights of the NOAA Hurricane Research Division on 24–25 September 1985. During the 4.7 hours between the two ODW drops. Gloria's minimum sea-level pressure fell from 932 to 922 mb.
The ODWs indicate substantial warming due to dry-adiabatic descent from 580 to 660 mb. Descent rates are estimated to be about 11 cm s−1. Near 500 mb, ascent is indicated. Approximately 60% of the 10 mb pressure fall is associated with thermodynamic changes below 500 mb.
Abstract
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season is summarized and the year’s tropical cyclones are described. Sixteen named storms formed in 2008. Of these, eight became hurricanes with five of them strengthening into major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale). There was also one tropical depression that did not attain tropical storm strength. These totals are above the long-term means of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The 2008 Atlantic basin tropical cyclones produced significant impacts from the Greater Antilles to the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as along portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Paloma hit Cuba, as did Tropical Storm Fay. Haiti was hit by Gustav and adversely affected by heavy rains from Fay, Ike, and Hanna. Paloma struck the Cayman Islands as a major hurricane, while Omar was a major hurricane when it passed near the northern Leeward Islands. Six consecutive cyclones hit the United States, including Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, and Ike. The death toll from the Atlantic tropical cyclones is approximately 750.
A verification of National Hurricane Center official forecasts during 2008 is also presented. Official track forecasts set records for accuracy at all lead times from 12 to 120 h, and forecast skill was also at record levels for all lead times. Official intensity forecast errors in 2008 were below the previous 5-yr mean errors and set records at 72–120 h.
Abstract
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season is summarized and the year’s tropical cyclones are described. Sixteen named storms formed in 2008. Of these, eight became hurricanes with five of them strengthening into major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale). There was also one tropical depression that did not attain tropical storm strength. These totals are above the long-term means of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The 2008 Atlantic basin tropical cyclones produced significant impacts from the Greater Antilles to the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as along portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Paloma hit Cuba, as did Tropical Storm Fay. Haiti was hit by Gustav and adversely affected by heavy rains from Fay, Ike, and Hanna. Paloma struck the Cayman Islands as a major hurricane, while Omar was a major hurricane when it passed near the northern Leeward Islands. Six consecutive cyclones hit the United States, including Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, and Ike. The death toll from the Atlantic tropical cyclones is approximately 750.
A verification of National Hurricane Center official forecasts during 2008 is also presented. Official track forecasts set records for accuracy at all lead times from 12 to 120 h, and forecast skill was also at record levels for all lead times. Official intensity forecast errors in 2008 were below the previous 5-yr mean errors and set records at 72–120 h.
Abstract
In 1982, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division began a series of experiments to collect Omega dropwindsonde (ODW) observations within about 1000 km of the center of tropical cyclones. By 1992, 16 ODW datasets had been collected in 10 Atlantic basin hurricanes and tropical storms. Objective wind analyses for each dataset 10 levels from 100 mb to the surface, have been produced using a consistent set of analysis parameters. The objective analyses, which resolve synoptic-scale features in the storm environment with an accuracy and confidence unattainable from routine operational analyses, have been used to examine relationships between a tropical cyclone's motion and its surrounding synoptic-scale flow.
Tropical cyclone motion is found to be consistent with barotropic steering of the vortex by the surrounding flow within 3° latitude (333 km) of the cyclone center. At this radius, the surrounding deep-layer-mean flow explains over 90% of the variance in vortex motion. The analyses show vorticity asymmetries that strongly resemble the β gyres common to barotropic models, although other synoptic features in the environment make isolation of these gyres from the wind fields difficult. A reasonably strong relationship is found between the motion of the vortex (relative to its large scale surrounding flow) and the absolute vorticity gradient of the vortex environment.
Abstract
In 1982, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division began a series of experiments to collect Omega dropwindsonde (ODW) observations within about 1000 km of the center of tropical cyclones. By 1992, 16 ODW datasets had been collected in 10 Atlantic basin hurricanes and tropical storms. Objective wind analyses for each dataset 10 levels from 100 mb to the surface, have been produced using a consistent set of analysis parameters. The objective analyses, which resolve synoptic-scale features in the storm environment with an accuracy and confidence unattainable from routine operational analyses, have been used to examine relationships between a tropical cyclone's motion and its surrounding synoptic-scale flow.
Tropical cyclone motion is found to be consistent with barotropic steering of the vortex by the surrounding flow within 3° latitude (333 km) of the cyclone center. At this radius, the surrounding deep-layer-mean flow explains over 90% of the variance in vortex motion. The analyses show vorticity asymmetries that strongly resemble the β gyres common to barotropic models, although other synoptic features in the environment make isolation of these gyres from the wind fields difficult. A reasonably strong relationship is found between the motion of the vortex (relative to its large scale surrounding flow) and the absolute vorticity gradient of the vortex environment.
Abstract
A set of three-dimensional, filtered, multiply nested objective analyses has been completed for the wind field of Hurricane Gloria for 0000 UTC 25 September 1985. At this time Gloria was one of the most intense hurricanes ever observed in the Atlantic basin, with a minimum sea level pressure of 919 mb. The nested analyses, based on observations from airborne Doppler radar and Omega dropwindsondes, simultaneously describe eyewall and synoptic-scale features, and are the most comprehensive analyses of a single hurricane constructed to date. The analyses have been used to document the multiscale kinematic structure of Gloria and to investigate the relationship between the kinematic fields and the motion of the vortex.
The analyses indicate that the vortex was unusually barotropic. The radius of maximum wind (RMW) was nearly vertical below 500 mb, with a slight inward slope with height between 750 and 550 mb. The strongest azimuthal mean tangential winds were found well above the boundary layer, near 550 mb, where the RMW was smallest. We speculate that this unusual structure was associated with a concentric eye cycle. A persistent asymmetry in the distribution of eyewall convection was associated with the vertical shear of the environmental flow.
The vortex moved approximately 2.5 m s−1 faster than the deep layer mean flow averaged at 667-km radius from the center. Barotropic models have predicted a relationship between the relative motion of the vortex and the gradients of absolute vorticity in the cyclone's environment; however, the predicted relationship was not found for Gloria. The vortex also did not move with the mean flow in the immediate vicinity of the center; the motion of the hurricane was most consistent with the 300–850-mb layer mean flow well outside the eyewall, at a radius of 65 km. The analyses suggest that the environmental flow near the center had been distorted by eyewall convection, with the scale of the distortion determined by the local Rossby radius of deformation.
Abstract
A set of three-dimensional, filtered, multiply nested objective analyses has been completed for the wind field of Hurricane Gloria for 0000 UTC 25 September 1985. At this time Gloria was one of the most intense hurricanes ever observed in the Atlantic basin, with a minimum sea level pressure of 919 mb. The nested analyses, based on observations from airborne Doppler radar and Omega dropwindsondes, simultaneously describe eyewall and synoptic-scale features, and are the most comprehensive analyses of a single hurricane constructed to date. The analyses have been used to document the multiscale kinematic structure of Gloria and to investigate the relationship between the kinematic fields and the motion of the vortex.
The analyses indicate that the vortex was unusually barotropic. The radius of maximum wind (RMW) was nearly vertical below 500 mb, with a slight inward slope with height between 750 and 550 mb. The strongest azimuthal mean tangential winds were found well above the boundary layer, near 550 mb, where the RMW was smallest. We speculate that this unusual structure was associated with a concentric eye cycle. A persistent asymmetry in the distribution of eyewall convection was associated with the vertical shear of the environmental flow.
The vortex moved approximately 2.5 m s−1 faster than the deep layer mean flow averaged at 667-km radius from the center. Barotropic models have predicted a relationship between the relative motion of the vortex and the gradients of absolute vorticity in the cyclone's environment; however, the predicted relationship was not found for Gloria. The vortex also did not move with the mean flow in the immediate vicinity of the center; the motion of the hurricane was most consistent with the 300–850-mb layer mean flow well outside the eyewall, at a radius of 65 km. The analyses suggest that the environmental flow near the center had been distorted by eyewall convection, with the scale of the distortion determined by the local Rossby radius of deformation.
Abstract
Omega dropwindsonde and other in situ (INS) data collected during the NOAA/Hurricane Research Division's (HRD) Hurricane Field Program are used as a ground truth dataset for the evaluation of VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) soundings over the subtropical Atlantic. The experiments were coordinated with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Services at the University of Wisconsin. The focus of this study is to determine whether soundings derived from VAS radiances are an improvement over the first-guess data used as a starting point in the sounding retrieval process. First guess inputs for this study are provided by NMCs Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) nested grid model (NGM).
In a case study, an objective algorithm is used to analyze the INS, VAS, and first-guess data at and below 500 mb from an HRD experiment on 1–2 September 1988. The case study is supplemented by a statistical investigation of data composited from other HRD experiments. In particular, we examine VAS estimates of horizontal temperature and moisture gradients to see if they represent improvements over the first guess.
The temperature and moisture descriptions in the vicinity of a 500 mb cold low were improved by the VAS in the case study; however, VAS temperature gradients were found to be generally less accurate than those of the first guess. Temperature gradients from the VAS were also consistently stronger than INS or first-guess gradients. The composite study found that large-scale VAS moisture gradients were better than those of the first guess. Other results indicate a preferred mode for VAS modifications to the guess: the primary impact of the VAS radiances on the first guess was to improve the description of the phasing of horizontal features. The VAS representation of the amplitude of features, however, was not consistently an improvement. This suggests that in tropical applications, VAS data may be most suitable for subjective forecasting uses; if VAS data are to be used in numerical weather prediction, strongest weight should be given to the representation of the location of weather features (troughs, ridges, etc.), and relatively weak weight should be given to the representation of the strength of these features.
Abstract
Omega dropwindsonde and other in situ (INS) data collected during the NOAA/Hurricane Research Division's (HRD) Hurricane Field Program are used as a ground truth dataset for the evaluation of VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) soundings over the subtropical Atlantic. The experiments were coordinated with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Services at the University of Wisconsin. The focus of this study is to determine whether soundings derived from VAS radiances are an improvement over the first-guess data used as a starting point in the sounding retrieval process. First guess inputs for this study are provided by NMCs Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) nested grid model (NGM).
In a case study, an objective algorithm is used to analyze the INS, VAS, and first-guess data at and below 500 mb from an HRD experiment on 1–2 September 1988. The case study is supplemented by a statistical investigation of data composited from other HRD experiments. In particular, we examine VAS estimates of horizontal temperature and moisture gradients to see if they represent improvements over the first guess.
The temperature and moisture descriptions in the vicinity of a 500 mb cold low were improved by the VAS in the case study; however, VAS temperature gradients were found to be generally less accurate than those of the first guess. Temperature gradients from the VAS were also consistently stronger than INS or first-guess gradients. The composite study found that large-scale VAS moisture gradients were better than those of the first guess. Other results indicate a preferred mode for VAS modifications to the guess: the primary impact of the VAS radiances on the first guess was to improve the description of the phasing of horizontal features. The VAS representation of the amplitude of features, however, was not consistently an improvement. This suggests that in tropical applications, VAS data may be most suitable for subjective forecasting uses; if VAS data are to be used in numerical weather prediction, strongest weight should be given to the representation of the location of weather features (troughs, ridges, etc.), and relatively weak weight should be given to the representation of the strength of these features.
Abstract
The 1999 Atlantic basin hurricane season produced 4 tropical storms and 8 hurricanes for a total of 12 named tropical cyclones. Seven of these affected land. Hurricane Floyd—the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Agnes in 1972—caused a disastrous flood event over the U.S. mid-Atlantic and northeastern coastal states, resulting in 56 U.S. deaths and 1 death in the Bahamas. Heavy rain from a tropical depression contributed to some 400 inland flood deaths in Mexico.
Abstract
The 1999 Atlantic basin hurricane season produced 4 tropical storms and 8 hurricanes for a total of 12 named tropical cyclones. Seven of these affected land. Hurricane Floyd—the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Agnes in 1972—caused a disastrous flood event over the U.S. mid-Atlantic and northeastern coastal states, resulting in 56 U.S. deaths and 1 death in the Bahamas. Heavy rain from a tropical depression contributed to some 400 inland flood deaths in Mexico.
Abstract
For the first time, the NOAA/Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) flew stepped frequency microwave radiometers (SFMRs) on both WP-3D research aircraft for operational hurricane surface wind speed measurement in 2005. An unprecedented number of major hurricanes provided ample data to evaluate both instrument performance and surface wind speed retrieval quality up to 70 m s−1 (Saffir–Simpson category 5). To this end, a new microwave emissivity–wind speed model function based on estimates of near-surface winds in hurricanes by global positioning system (GPS) dropwindsondes is proposed. For practical purposes, utilizing this function removes a previously documented high bias in moderate SFMR-measured wind speeds (10–50 m s−1), and additionally corrects an extreme wind speed (>60 m s−1) underestimate. The AOC operational SFMRs yield retrievals that are precise to within ∼2% at 30 m s−1, which is a factor of 2 improvement over the NOAA Hurricane Research Division’s SFMR, and comparable to the precision found here for GPS dropwindsonde near-surface wind speeds. A small (1.6 m s−1), but statistically significant, overall high bias was found for independent SFMR measurements utilizing emissivity data not used for model function development. Across the range of measured wind speeds (10–70 m s−1), SFMR 10-s averaged wind speeds are within 4 m s−1 (rms) of the dropwindsonde near-surface estimate, or 5%–25% depending on speed. However, an analysis of eyewall peak wind speeds indicates an overall 2.6 m s−1 GPS low bias relative to the peak SFMR estimate on the same flight leg, suggesting a real increase in the maximum wind speed estimate due to SFMR’s high-density sampling. Through a series of statistical tests, the SFMR is shown to reduce the overall bias in the peak surface wind speed estimate by ∼50% over the current flight-level wind reduction method and is comparable at extreme wind speeds. The updated model function is demonstrated to behave differently below and above the hurricane wind speed threshold (∼32 m s−1), which may have implications for air–sea momentum and kinetic energy exchange. The change in behavior is at least qualitatively consistent with recent laboratory and field results concerning the drag coefficient in high wind speed conditions, which show a fairly clear “leveling off” of the drag coefficient with increased wind speed above ∼30 m s−1. Finally, a composite analysis of historical data indicates that the earth-relative SFMR peak wind speed is typically located in the hurricane’s right-front quadrant, which is consistent with previous observational and theoretical studies of surface wind structure.
Abstract
For the first time, the NOAA/Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) flew stepped frequency microwave radiometers (SFMRs) on both WP-3D research aircraft for operational hurricane surface wind speed measurement in 2005. An unprecedented number of major hurricanes provided ample data to evaluate both instrument performance and surface wind speed retrieval quality up to 70 m s−1 (Saffir–Simpson category 5). To this end, a new microwave emissivity–wind speed model function based on estimates of near-surface winds in hurricanes by global positioning system (GPS) dropwindsondes is proposed. For practical purposes, utilizing this function removes a previously documented high bias in moderate SFMR-measured wind speeds (10–50 m s−1), and additionally corrects an extreme wind speed (>60 m s−1) underestimate. The AOC operational SFMRs yield retrievals that are precise to within ∼2% at 30 m s−1, which is a factor of 2 improvement over the NOAA Hurricane Research Division’s SFMR, and comparable to the precision found here for GPS dropwindsonde near-surface wind speeds. A small (1.6 m s−1), but statistically significant, overall high bias was found for independent SFMR measurements utilizing emissivity data not used for model function development. Across the range of measured wind speeds (10–70 m s−1), SFMR 10-s averaged wind speeds are within 4 m s−1 (rms) of the dropwindsonde near-surface estimate, or 5%–25% depending on speed. However, an analysis of eyewall peak wind speeds indicates an overall 2.6 m s−1 GPS low bias relative to the peak SFMR estimate on the same flight leg, suggesting a real increase in the maximum wind speed estimate due to SFMR’s high-density sampling. Through a series of statistical tests, the SFMR is shown to reduce the overall bias in the peak surface wind speed estimate by ∼50% over the current flight-level wind reduction method and is comparable at extreme wind speeds. The updated model function is demonstrated to behave differently below and above the hurricane wind speed threshold (∼32 m s−1), which may have implications for air–sea momentum and kinetic energy exchange. The change in behavior is at least qualitatively consistent with recent laboratory and field results concerning the drag coefficient in high wind speed conditions, which show a fairly clear “leveling off” of the drag coefficient with increased wind speed above ∼30 m s−1. Finally, a composite analysis of historical data indicates that the earth-relative SFMR peak wind speed is typically located in the hurricane’s right-front quadrant, which is consistent with previous observational and theoretical studies of surface wind structure.
Abstract
Activity during the 2001 hurricane season was similar to that of the 2000 season. Fifteen tropical storms developed, with nine becoming hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Two tropical depressions failed to become tropical storms. Similarities to the 2000 season include overall activity much above climatological levels and most of the cyclones occurring over the open Atlantic north of 25°N. The overall “lateness” of the season was notable, with 11 named storms, including all the hurricanes, forming after 1 September. There were no hurricane landfalls in the United States for the second year in a row. However, the season's tropical cyclones were responsible for 93 deaths, including 41 from Tropical Storm Allison in the United States, and 48 from Hurricanes Iris and Michelle in the Caribbean.
Abstract
Activity during the 2001 hurricane season was similar to that of the 2000 season. Fifteen tropical storms developed, with nine becoming hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Two tropical depressions failed to become tropical storms. Similarities to the 2000 season include overall activity much above climatological levels and most of the cyclones occurring over the open Atlantic north of 25°N. The overall “lateness” of the season was notable, with 11 named storms, including all the hurricanes, forming after 1 September. There were no hurricane landfalls in the United States for the second year in a row. However, the season's tropical cyclones were responsible for 93 deaths, including 41 from Tropical Storm Allison in the United States, and 48 from Hurricanes Iris and Michelle in the Caribbean.
Abstract
The 2005 eastern North Pacific hurricane season is summarized, the individual tropical cyclones are described, and official track and intensity forecasts are verified and evaluated. The season’s overall activity was, by most measures, below average. While a near-average 15 tropical storms formed, many of them were relatively weak and short-lived. Seven of these storms became hurricanes, but only one reached major hurricane status (an intensity of 100 kt or greater on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale) in the eastern North Pacific basin. One of the hurricanes, Adrian, approached Central America in May but weakened to a tropical depression prior to landfall. Adrian was the only eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone to make landfall during 2005, and it was directly responsible for one fatality.
Abstract
The 2005 eastern North Pacific hurricane season is summarized, the individual tropical cyclones are described, and official track and intensity forecasts are verified and evaluated. The season’s overall activity was, by most measures, below average. While a near-average 15 tropical storms formed, many of them were relatively weak and short-lived. Seven of these storms became hurricanes, but only one reached major hurricane status (an intensity of 100 kt or greater on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale) in the eastern North Pacific basin. One of the hurricanes, Adrian, approached Central America in May but weakened to a tropical depression prior to landfall. Adrian was the only eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone to make landfall during 2005, and it was directly responsible for one fatality.
Abstract
The 2002 eastern North Pacific hurricane season is summarized and the year's tropical cyclones are described. The season featured 12 named tropical storms, of which 6 became hurricanes. Five of the six hurricanes reached an intensity of 100 kt or higher. There were two landfalling cyclones, Tropical Storm Julio and Hurricane Kenna. Kenna, which made landfall near San Blas, Mexico, with winds of near 120 kt, was responsible for four deaths.
Abstract
The 2002 eastern North Pacific hurricane season is summarized and the year's tropical cyclones are described. The season featured 12 named tropical storms, of which 6 became hurricanes. Five of the six hurricanes reached an intensity of 100 kt or higher. There were two landfalling cyclones, Tropical Storm Julio and Hurricane Kenna. Kenna, which made landfall near San Blas, Mexico, with winds of near 120 kt, was responsible for four deaths.
