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DOE OSTI2016

Hurricane Evacuation Study (HES) Process Requirements

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Hurricane Program (NHP), helps protect communities and residents from hurricane hazards by providing evacuation preparedness technical assistance to State, local, and tribal governments. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and FEMA are co- sponsoring an effort to modernize technology components of the NHP, including the Hurricane Evacuation Study (HES), which addresses planning and impact assessments for coastal regions. The current HES process is manual, financially costly, and can take up to several years to complete. To streamline this process, the NHP Technology Modernization Program is developing an automated HES Tool that will reduce the cost and time requirements of the HES process by up to 70%. This document outlines the requirements of the current HES process and explains how the HES Tool can be used to fulfill those requirements. It also contains a detailed list of the modeling and simulation capabilities available within the HES tool.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

High-Resolution Large-Eddy Simulations of Historical U.S. Gulf Coast Hurricanes

This dataset provides coupled mesoscale and microscale (large-eddy simulation; LES) atmospheric simulations of five historical U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes. Meso-microscale coupled simulations of Hurricanes Harvey (2017), Nate (2017), Michael (2018), Laura (2020), and Delta (2020) were performed with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model v4.1.5. The mesoscale component captures the multi-day evolution of each storm's track, intensity, and large-scale structure across the Gulf of Mexico, while the LES component explicitly resolves the dominant turbulent eddies in the hurricane boundary layer at a horizontal grid spacing of 33.33 m. Together, these simulations characterize tropical cyclone wind fields across atmospheric scales ranging from ~100 km down to ~100 m, spanning storm intensities from Category 2 through Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. This dataset contains the Large-Eddy simulations. The data will be divided according to the storm intensity level at the simulation time. Category 2: Harvey, Nate Category 3: Michael, Delta Category 4: Michael, Laura

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

High-Resolution Mesoscale Simulations of Historical U.S. Gulf Coast Hurricanes

17 WIND ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1973

Preliminary report on Skylab S-193 Radscat measurements of Hurricane Ava

The author has identified the following significant results. The Skylab RADSCAT instrument S-193 was operated on 6 June 1973 while the spacecraft flew past Hurricane Ava in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scatterometer returns at all polarizations and radiometer measurements were obtained from a section through the storm with winds up to 48 knots at 52 deg incident angle and 35 knots at 45.5 deg incident angle. These first hurricane scatterometer measurements indicate reasonable correlation between wind speed and backscatter, with horizontal response much stronger than the vertical response at 52 deg. Each of the sections through the hurricane contains an as yet unexplained dip in cross section at a point 200 to 300 km prior to passing the eye. The response at a point where the radiometer signal's dramatic increase indicates strong rain is also accompanied by a strong increase in the backscattered signal. No attempt has been made to make a thorough correlation of radiometric response with wind speed, but the atmospheric contribution to the radiometer signal is quite apparent.

Pierson, W. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Deriving winds for hurricanes using short interval satellite imagery

Results are presented for a study program designed to develop a better means of obtaining wind data needed by hurricane forecasters and to determine the optimum space and time resolution of satellite data used to obtain such winds. The discussion covers cloud tracking with an image display and manipulation system and analysis of IR imagery of Hurricane Eloise. It is shown that greater resolution in time and space of satellite imagery made it possible to derive up to six times as many low-level winds in a hurricane case, to eliminate 'bad winds' caused by mistaking cloud growth for cloud motion, and to remove ambiguities that would have caused difficulty in tracking clouds using only the imagery taken at 30-min intervals. It is suggested to use short-interval imagery (less than 10 min) for wind determination for future research in areas of tropical cyclones.

Gentry, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ray tracing of gravity waves as a possible warning system for tornadic storms and hurricanes

Gravity waves with wave periods of 13 to 15 min and horizontal phase velocities of 90 to 220 m/sec were present in ground-based observations of the upper atmosphere during time periods when tornadoes were occurring and gravity waves with wave periods of 20 to 25 min and horizontal phase velocities of 100 to 200 m/sec were detected when a hurricane was present. Combinations of available neutral atmosphere data and model parameter values were used with a group ray tracing technique in an attempt to locate the sources of these waves. Computed sources of the waves with periods of 13 to 15 min were located within 50 km of the locations where tornadoes touched down from 2 to 4 h later. In the case of the waves with periods of 20 to 25 min it was found that the computed location of the source was roughly where the hurricane would be located 3 h after the waves were excited. The applicability of the present study to a tornado and hurricane warning system is noted.

Hung, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Remote sensing of hurricane waves

A program was undertaken to obtain data on wind generated ocean waves in hurricanes by remote sensing techniques. The sensor, a synthetic aperture radar, has collected the first data ever on the directional wave climate throughout a hurricane. This information was found to have inconsistencies with present hurricane wave generation models.

King, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Measurement of hurricane winds and waves with a synthetic aperture radar

An analysis of data collected in a hurricane research program is presented. The data were collected with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) during five aircraft flights in the Atlantic in August and September, 1976. Work was conducted in two areas. The first is an analysis of the L-band SAR data in a scatterometer mode to determine the surface windspeeds in hurricanes, in a similar manner to that done by an X-band scatterometer. The second area was to use the SAR to examine the wave patterns in hurricanes. The wave patterns in all of the storms are similar and show a marked radial asymmetry.

Shemdin, O. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Relationship between hurricane surface winds and L-band radar backscatter from the sea surface

High-altitude, airborne, L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were collected in Hurricane Gloria on 28 and 30 September 1976. The backscattered power levels (proportional to the surface scattering coefficient) averaged over a few square kilometers of surface area were found to vary with surface wind speed and the angle of the wind relative to the radar. Comparisons between the backscatter from the eye and eye-wall regions of the hurricane were made with low-level aircraft wind measurements that were nearly coincident in space and time. The SAR has the potential advantage over other radar types because of its higher spatial resolution. It also appears to have the ability to penetrate rainfall, with a reduction in the echo from the surface. One difference when compared with higher frequency microwave radars is a decrease in the sensitivity of the backscatter to changes in wind speed. This dependence of L-band radar backscatter on surface winds suggests that the winds associated with hurricanes can be measured with airborne or spaceborne radars.

Weissman, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Infrared digital data analysis of severe storms and hurricanes from geosynchronous satellite

A severe storm in Louisiana on March 24, 1976 is considered, taking into account gravity wave observations made with the aid of a Doppler sounder array and remote sensing studies of the cloud top. Attention is also given to the Hurricane Frederic on September 12, 1979. A study which takes into account the observations regarding the gravity waves and the satellite observations of clouds associated with Hurricane Frederic shows that gravity waves were excited by overshooting turrets above the tropopause. The altitude of the turrets above the tropopause is an indication for the intensity of a cyclone, while the change in cloud top height provides an indication related to the amplification of hurricane intensity.

Hung, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The age and source of ocean swell observed in Hurricane Josephine

A simple kinematic model is applied to SIR-B observations in the far field of Hurricane Josephine in order to estimate the swell origin in space and time. The SIR data was obtained on October 12, 1984, and the geometry of the hurricane swell kinematic model is described. Estimates of the wavenumber and wave age and generation regions of the system are graphically presented and examined. The data reveal that the waves of Hurricane Josephine were generated 0-9 hours before the SIR-B overpass.

Gonzalez, Frank I.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of satellite IR rain estimates with radar rain observations in hurricanes

Radar-observed rainrates and rain areas obtained for the Hurricanes Frederic (1979), Alicia (1983), and Diana (1984) were used in conjunction with GOES IR data to examine the validity of three satellite IR rain estimation techniques: the Arkin (1983) method, the Negri-Adler-Wetzel (1984) technique, and the convective-stratiform technique of Adler and Negri (1987). The Alicia hurricane was also monitored using the subjective manual technique of Spayd and Scofield (1984). It is shown that the success of IR techniques in identifying areas of rainfall depends on the hurricane feature being addressed. Thus, the three objective IR techniques were unable to identify the locations of radar-observed eyewall and inner band precipitation areas because of strong vertical wind shear in the eyewall and the lack of the vertical extent of stratiform precipitation beneath the central dense overcast.

Morris, K. Robert↗

NASA NTRS1994

Remote sensing for hurricane Andrew impact assessment

Stennis Space Center personnel flew a Learjet equipped with instrumentation designed to acquire imagery in many spectral bands into areas most damaged by Hurricane Andrew. The calibrated airborne multispectral scanner (CAMS), a NASA-developed sensor, and a Zeiss camera acquired images of these areas. The information derived from the imagery was used to assist Florida officials in assessing the devastation caused by the hurricane. The imagery provided the relief teams with an assessment of the debris covering roads and highways so cleanup plans could be prioritized. The imagery also mapped the level of damage in residential and commercial areas of southern Florida and provided maps of beaches and land cover for determination of beach loss and vegetation damage, particularly the mangrove population. Stennis Space Center personnel demonstrated the ability to respond quickly and the value of such response in an emergency situation. The digital imagery from the CAMS can be processed, analyzed, and developed into products for field crews faster than conventional photography. The resulting information is versatile and allows for rapid updating and editing. Stennis Space Center and state officials worked diligently to compile information to complete analyses of the hurricane's impact.

Davis, Bruce A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Tracking motions from satellite water vapor imagery: Quantitative applications to hurricane track forecasting

Water vapor imagery from GOES satellites has been available for over a decade. These data are used extensively, mainly in a qualitative mode, by forecasters in the United States (Weldon and Holmes, 1991). Some attempts have been made at quantifying the data by tracking features in time sequences of the imagery (Stewart et al., 1985; Hayden and Stewart, 1987). For a variety of reasons, applications of this approach have produced marginal results (Velden, 1990). Recently, METEOSAT-3 (M-3) was repositioned at 50W by the European Space Agency, in order to provide complete coverage of the Atlantic Ocean. Data from this satellite are being transmitted to the U.S. for operational use. Compared with the GOES satellite, the M-3 has a superior resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in its water vapor channel, which translates into improved automated tracking capabilities. During a period in 1992 which included the Atlantic hurricane season, water vapor tracking algorithms were applied to the M-3 data in order to evaluate the coverage, accuracy and model impact of the derived vectors. Data sets were produced during several tropical cyclone cases, including Hurricane Andrew. In this paper, the M-3 water vapor wind sets are assessed, and their impact on a hurricane track forecast model is examined.

Velden, Christopher↗

NASA NTRS1999

Observations of Hurricane Georges During the Third Convection and Moisture EXperiment (CAMEX-3)

The third Convection And Moisture EXperiment (CAMEX-3) was conducted from 6 August - 27 September 1998. CAMEX is a series of field experiments sponsored by the Earth Science Enterprise of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The overall goal of CAMEX-3 was to study atmospheric water vapor and precipitation processes using a unique array of aircraft, balloon, and land-based remote sensors for research in tropical cyclone development, tracking, intensification, and landfalling situations using NASA-funded aircraft and surface remote sensing instrumentation. This project collected high spatial and temporal information of hurricane structure, dynamics, and motion. The ER-2 and DC-8 were the primary NASA aircraft used in the deployment flying at altitudes of 65,000 and 35,000 feet, respectively. In addition, coordinated flights with NOAA WP-3 and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters C-130 aircraft were developed so that some missions involved as many as five to six aircraft. This presentation will highlight the CAMEX-3 research. It will focus primarily on the unique observations gained while studying Hurricane Georges during four missions: 1) near St. Croix, 2) over the Domican Republic, 3) over the Florida Keys, and 4) near landfall on the Mississippi coast. In particular, observations obtained through the use of the ER-2 of the orographically forced precipitation as it interacted with Hispaniola on 22 September 1998 will be shown.

Guillory, Anthony R.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Hurricane Georges' Landfall in the Dominican Republic: Detailed Airborne Doppler Radar Imagery

Current understanding of landfalling tropical cyclones is limited, especially with regard to convective scale processes. On 22 September 1998 Hurricane Georges made landfall on the island of Hispaniola, leaving behind a trail of death and devastation, largely the result of excessive rainfall, not sea level surge or wind. Detailed airborne measurements were taken as part of the Third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3). Of Particular interest are the ER-2 nadir X-band Doppler radar (EDOP) data, which provide a first-time high-resolution view of the precipitation and airflow changes as a hurricane interacts with mountainous terrain. The circulation of hurricane Georges underwent an obvious transition during landfall, evident in the rapid increase in minimum sea-level pressure, the subsidence of the eyewall anvil, and a decrease in average ice concentrations in the eyewall. The eye, as seen in satellite imagery, disappeared, but contrary to current understanding, this was not due to eyewall contraction but rather to convective eruption within the eye. The main convective event within the eye, with upper-level updraft magnitudes near 20 m/s and 89 GHz brightness temperatures below 100 K, occurred when the eye moved over the Cordillera Central, the island's main mountain chain. The location, intensity and evolution of this convection indicate that it was coupled to the surface orography. It is likely that surface rain rates increased during landfall, because of effective droplet collection, both in the convection and in the more widespread stratiform rainfall areas over the island. Evidence for this is the increase in radar reflectivity below the bright band of 1-2 dB/km down to ground-level. Such increase was absent offshore. Such low-level rain enhancement, which cannot be detected in satellite images of upwelling infrared or microwave radiation, must be due to the ascent of boundary-layer air over the topography.

Geerts, B.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Raman Lidar Measurements of Water Vapor and Cirrus Clouds During the Passage of Hurricane Bonnie

The NASA/GSFC Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) was stationed on Andros Island in the Bahamas during August - September, 1998 as a part of the third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) which focussed on hurricane development and tracking. During the period August 21 - 24, hurricane Bonnie passed near Andros Island and influenced the water vapor and cirrus cloud measurements acquired by the SRL. Two drying signatures related to the hurricane were recorded by the SRL (Scanning Raman Lidar) and other sensors. Cirrus cloud optical depths (at 351 nm) were also measured during this period. Optical depth values ranged from approximately 0.01 to 1.4. The influence of multiple scattering on these optical depth measurements was studied with the conclusion that the measured values of optical depth are less than the actual value by up to 20% . The UV/IR cirrus cloud optical depth ratio was estimated based on a comparison of lidar and GOES measurements. Simple radiative transfer model calculations compared with GOES satellite brightness temperatures indicate that satellite radiances are significantly affected by the presence of cirrus clouds if IR optical depths are approximately 0.02 or greater. This has implications for satellite cirrus detection requirements.

Whiteman, D. N.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Raman Lidar Measurements of Water Vapor and Cirrus Clouds During the Passage of Hurricane Bonnie

The NASA/GSFC Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) was stationed on Andros Island in the Bahamas during August - September, 1998 as a part of the third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) which focussed on hurricane development and tracking. During the period August 21 - 24, hurricane Bonnie passed near Andros Island and influenced the water vapor and cirrus cloud measurements acquired by the SRL. Two drying signatures related to the hurricane were recorded by the SRL and other sensors. Cirrus cloud optical depths (at 351 nm) were also measured during this period. Optical depth values ranged from approximately 0.01 to 1.4. The influence of multiple scattering on these optical depth measurements was studied with the conclusion that the measured values of optical depth are less than the actual value by up to 20%. The UV/lR cirrus cloud optical depth ratio was estimated based on a comparison of lidar and GOES measurements. Simple radiative transfer model calculations compared with GOES satellite brightness temperatures indicate that satellite radiances are significantly affected by the presence of cirrus clouds if IR optical depths are approximately 0.02 or greater. This has implications for satellite cirrus detection requirements.

Whiteman, D. N.↗