US predicts below average central Pacific hurricane season
The News Review:
- US predicts below average central Pacific hurricane season
- Palm Beach chamber offers hurricane preparedness seminar.
- NCAR’s hurricane-prediction tool
- Forecasters to Test 3-D Radar Hurricane Tracking Technique
- Tornado doesn’t throw off rodeo.
- Texas Governor Perry Urges Texans to Prepare for 2007 Hurricane Season
- Forecasters Predict Below-Average Hurricane Season
US predicts below average central Pacific hurricane season
International Herald Tribune – May 21, 2007
But officials warned residents Monday that a big storm could still hit the islands. With sea surface temperatures colder than average scientists at NAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Hawaii predicted possible La Nina conditions resulting in less tropical cyclone activity which covers tropical depressions tropical storms and hurricanes over the central Pacific. Those conditions and the overall reduction in hurricane activity in that region since 1995 led to the cooled-down prediction for the June-November season said Jim Weyman director of NAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center at a news conference. But he warned against not being prepared.
Palm Beach chamber offers hurricane preparedness seminar.
Free with registration – South Florida Sun-Sentinel – AccessMyLibrary.com – May 21, 2007
May 21–The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Healthcare Committee is presenting a hurricane preparedness seminar for businesses and healthcare providers 8:30 am Tuesday May 22nd at the Tradition of the Palm Beaches at MorseLife 4920 Loring Drive in West Palm Beach. Speakers include West Palm Beach Mayor.
NCAR’s hurricane-prediction tool
Broomfield Enterprise – Broomfield Enterprise (subscription) – May 21, 2007
Hurricane radar dotting coasts from Texas to Maine delivers only a rough sketch of a hurricane. But unlike reconnaissance planes which fly into a hurricane’s eye to measure pressure and other vital data a few times a day the coastal Dopplers tell forecasters the speed of winds blowing at or away from a radar every six minutes. The NCAR software feeds the limited radar wind-speed data into equations infused with the best knowledge of Atlantic-hurricane structures to map winds in three dimensions. The system also infers barometric pressure in the heart of the hurricane a key indicator of strength. Scientists could derive similar information if more than one radar could observe a single storm… But unlike reconnaissance planes which fly into a hurricane’s eye to measure pressure and other vital data a few times a day the coastal Dopplers tell forecasters the speed of winds blowing at or away from a radar every six minutes. The NCAR software feeds the limited radar wind-speed data into equations infused with the best knowledge of Atlantic-hurricane structures to map winds in three dimensions. The system also infers barometric pressure in the heart of the hurricane a key indicator of strength. Scientists could derive similar information if more than one radar could observe a single storm. But the radar whose range is limited to 120 miles is too distantly dispersed for that NCAR officials said. First conceived by NCAR scientist Wen-Chau Lee 15 years ago the software gained major interest after Hurricane Charley’s surprise strengthening from top wind speeds of 110 to 145 mph within six hours in 2004 said NCAR scientist Michael Bell who has worked on the software since 2000. Paul Harasti a scientist with the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey Calif.
Forecasters to Test 3-D Radar Hurricane Tracking Technique
Insurance Journal – May 21, 2007
Lee and his collaborators developed a series of mathematical formulas that combine data from a single radar near the center of a landfalling storm with general knowledge of Atlantic hurricane structure in order to map the approaching system’s winds in three dimensions. The technique also infers the barometric pressure in the eye of the hurricane a very reliable index of its strength. Forecasters using VRTRAC can update information about a hurricane each time a NAA Doppler radar scans the storm which can be as often as about every six minutes. Without such a technique forecasters would need at least two coastal radars in close proximity to each other in order to obtain the same information. But most of the network’s radars are too far apart to qualify. Because of the limited range of Doppler radars VRTRAC works only for hurricanes that are within about 120 miles of land. Depending on a hurricane’s speed that could enable forecasters to monitor it for the critical 10-15 hours or so before landfall… Because of the limited range of Doppler radars VRTRAC works only for hurricanes that are within about 120 miles of land. Depending on a hurricane’s speed that could enable forecasters to monitor it for the critical 10-15 hours or so before landfall. The National Hurricane Center will test VRTRAC during this year’s hurricane season which officially starts on June 1. To monitor the winds of a landfalling hurricane forecasters now rely on aircraft to drop instrument packages into the storm that gather data on winds and pressure. But due to flight logistics the aircraft can take readings no more than every few hours which means that coastal communities may not be swiftly alerted to changes in approaching hurricanes. In 2004 parts of Florida’s southwest coast were caught by surprise when Hurricane Charley’s top winds increased from 110 to 145 miles per hour in just six hours as the storm neared land. Lee and his collaborators applied VRTRAC retroactively to Hurricane Charley.
Tornado doesn’t throw off rodeo.
Free with registration – Wichita Eagle – AccessMyLibrary.com – May 21, 2007
(21-MAY-07) Wichita Eagle (Wichita KS). This year the tornado not withstanding will be no exception. The rodeo is on for Friday and Saturday.
Texas Governor Perry Urges Texans to Prepare for 2007 Hurricane Season
All American Patriots – All American Patriots (press release) – May 21, 2007
Perry along with the National Weather Service and the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management is urging all Texans to be prepared for the 2007 hurricane season which officially starts June 1. ?I urge all Texans to be mindful of the dangers presented by hurricanes to stay informed about current threats and to take steps toward preparedness? Perry said. ?While residents along the coast are among the first impacted by a hurricane we must keep in mind that these massive storms can cause flooding and tornadoes hundreds of miles from the coastal areas where they make landfall. ?Families should designate a place to go in case of evacuation develop an emergency plan for communicating with relatives and friends in other areas and put together a “readiness kit” of important supplies including items such as a battery-operated radio and flashlight. Texans are also urged to heed all warnings information and instructions provided by emergency management personnel. In fall 2005 Perry appointed the Task Force on Evacuation Transportation and Logistics to take testimony from local officials emergency response personnel and citizens on lessons learned from Hurricane Rita. In March 2006 the governor issued an executive order implementing the task force recommendations which focus on five key areas: the evacuation of people with special needs; command control and communications; traffic management; fuel availability; and public awareness.
Forecasters Predict Below-Average Hurricane Season
thehawaiichannel.com – May 21, 2007
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said two or three systems will form in Hawaii’s part of the Pacific this year. The average is four to five storms. “But it always concerns me when I forecast below normal because people think they don’t have to worry they don’t have to get prepared” meteorologist Jim Weyman said… It only took one hurricane in 1992 Iniki to cause major damage on Kauai. Hurricane Iniki happened nearly 15 years ago so for many people it’s beginning to fade in their memories. However there was one major hurricane that was in Hawaii’s neighborhood less than a year ago. Hurricane Ioke formed south of Hawaii just last August forcing the evacuation of Wake Island west of Hawaii.