South Florida Remembers: 20 Years After Hurricane Andrew

Posted on August 22, 2012 by RSMAS

For many of you who are new to Miami, you may not know much about a hurricane named Andrew that hit South Florida 20 years ago this Friday, August 24th. For those that were here, this was the storm that changed everything for the entire community. And for weather geeks around the world, Hurricane Andrew would become a turning point for scientific need and innovation, which in many ways has been answered.

On August 24, 1992, South Florida was shaken to its core when Category 5 Hurricane Andrew made landfall at around 5:00am. Andrew was only the third Category 5 to ever make landfall in the US in the past 100 years behind the 1935 Hurricane in the Florida Keys and 1969 Hurricane Camille in Louisiana. Andrew just 5 days earlier was nothing more than a weak tropical storm. However, by Sunday August 23rd, evacuations and hasty preparations were being made for “The Big One” to hit South Florida. Andrew was a small hurricane with its strongest winds in the eyewall only extending a few miles. Due to this, downtown Miami was mostly spared. Had Andrew made landfall just 15 miles north, the damage costs would have been more than doubled!

However, the city of Homestead was not so fortunate. The storm and its aftermath left the city completely devastated. Residents were not prepared for what they saw when daylight exposed Mother Nature’s power. The National Guard, Red Cross, and Salvation Army were on the scene immediately, to hand out emergency supplies and provisions. The US Army would arrive 10 days later to help keep the peace as survival instincts took over societal norms. With such complete destruction it is a remarkable testament to local news, county emergency management, and the National Hurricane Center that only 65 total deaths occurred during Andrew and its aftermath. The total damage was estimated to be $26.5 billion (1992USD) including damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana.

Twenty years later the memories for the survivors are still clear as day. For the South Florida community, Hurricane Andrew is one storm that will never be forgotten.

Do you have any stories of Hurricane Andrew you would like to share? Leave them in the comments below.

*To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, the Miami Science Museum is hosting a day of remembrance on August 25, 2012 from 11am until 5pm. Come explore the museum and be treated to the day’s special activities. For more information, please visit http://www.miamisci.org

-Angela Colbert
Meteorology & Physical Oceanography
Graduate Student
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Ernesto Nearly a Hurricane and Heading for Belize

Posted on August 6, 2012 by RSMAS

On July 19, a tropical wave was born over far eastern Africa… and after traveling across the continent for a week, it exited Africa on July 26 as a coherent easterly wave. On August 1, it became sufficiently organized to be classified as a Tropical Depression (the fifth of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season). On the evening of August 2, it was finally within range of the Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane which was able to more accurately assess the intensity and found a storm with 50mph sustained winds… strong enough to classify it as Tropical Storm Ernesto. This image shows the progress of Ernesto over the past week in a series of satellite image “slices” every 12 hours.

Since then, it crossed over the Windward Islands bringing gusty winds and some light rain, but nothing too noteworthy. Here is a radar image from “landfall” on Saint Lucia, and a full radar loop covering the passage. Presently, Tropical Storm Ernesto is located just east of the Honduras/Nicaragua border and rapidly intensifying. A reconnaissance aircraft found a 7-mile-wide eye at 10am today, and a much more organization than we’ve ever seen in Ernesto.

The environment has been marginal for development over the past week, but has improved markedly now that it’s in the western Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center and computer model guidance are suggesting that Ernesto will continue to intensify as it skims along the northern coast of Honduras. At 11am today, the maximum sustained winds were 65mph with gusts to 75mph. Landfall on Belize (and the Yucatan peninsula directly to its north) is expected early on Wednesday as a 90mph hurricane. There is a long-range radar loop from Belize available here.

Brian McNoldy
Senior Research Associate
& Author of Tropical Atlantic Update
Follow Brian on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMcNoldy

The Science of Weather led me to RSMAS

Posted on June 27, 2012 by RSMAS

When people ask about my career aspirations I often say that I want to be the link between climate science and society. What that means is, I’d like to use my science background to provide people with the most accurate scientific information available and educate them about the realities of climate change, so they can make informed decisions about how it will impact their lives.

But how did I get interested in climate change? It all started in high school physics class where I enjoyed learning about everyday physical interactions, such as dropping an apple on your foot or sliding a book across a table. Although it doesn’t seem like it, several forces interact to allow us to perform those actions. I was fascinated that I could observe objects in motion that we studied in labs also in my daily life without having to peer through a microscope.

It was this same curiosity about how objects move that made me question how weather forms and moves over an area. Growing up, weather had always fascinated me because it is part of our daily lives. I also thought there must be lots of jobs in this field because weather affects everyone in every part of the world, and we are forced to live with it. This is what led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from San Jose State University in California.

After finishing my bachelor’s degree I was ready for more. I applied to graduate programs in meteorology but was apprehensive because I wasn’t excited about narrowing my interests to one topic or committing my life to studying the details of that specific problem. I was more interested in building on my meteorological background and expanding my knowledge of the interdisciplinary aspects of climate change. After researching Professional Science Masters programs, I found RSMAS. When I read the description of the Weather, Climate, and Society track in the Meteorology & Physical Oceanography division, I felt like it was specifically written for me. The purpose matched my goals to build upon my scientific background and to learn the skills desirable for employers through an internship project.

Even though there are few Professional Science Masters students in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, I am excited to be part of this new degree program. I look forward to completing my degree and cannot wait to see the program flourish over the years.

This blog post is part of a series of stories written by RSMAS graduate students enrolled in the Spring 2012 Scientific Communications (RSM 545) course.

Amanda Short
Master of Professional Science: Weather Climate and Society
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Tropical Storm Debby: Expect More Rain

Posted on June 26, 2012 by RSMAS

Tropical Storm Debby formed on June 23rd, making it the earliest date in the Atlantic for the 4th named storm, breaking the previous record set by Dennis on July 5th during the infamous 2005 season. It was slow to get organized and was an area of interest since about June 18 in the western Caribbean Sea, before drifting across the Yucatan Pensinsula, and finally reaching tropical storm status in the central Gulf of Mexico. Since then, its motion has been slow and unpredictable owing to weak steering currents, and is now located just 80 miles from the northwest Florida coast.

Tropical Storm Debby remains disorganized with very little deep convection near the center, but as history has taught us, even a weak tropical storm is capable of being destructive.

By far, the biggest issue associated with Debby is the rainfall, as expected. Parts of the Florida panhandle have received nearly 25″ of rain in the past few days (much of that came in the past day), but the bulk of Florida has been hit with 6″ or more. To add to that, an additional 3-6″ is expected over northeastern Florida in the coming few days.

As of 8am EDT today, Tropical Storm Debby has peak sustained winds of 40kts and a 991mb central pressure. It’s centered about 85 miles west of Cedar Key, FL and drifting east at 3kts. It is expected to come ashore on Wednesday morning between Apalachicola and Tampa as a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Debby’s pre-storm path is indicated in dashes, while the forecast path is dotted.

Again, the biggest threat will be additional heavy rain, and the exact timing and location of landfall makes little difference. As far as storm surge goes, some areas in western Florida could see up to 6′ above normal tidal levels, particularly in Waccasassa Bay, Withlacoochee Bay, Crystal Bay, and Homosassa Bay. You can find additional details and maps of storm surge products at the National Hurricane Center website.

Have questions about Tropical Storm Debby or other Hurricane related topics? Leave them in the comments section below.

Brian McNoldy
Senior Research Associate
& Author of Tropical Atlantic Update
Follow Brian on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMcNoldy

DC 101: Where Science and Policy Meet

Posted on June 19, 2012 by RSMAS

AMS Summer Policy Colloquium 2012 participants on a visit to Capital Hill in Washington, DC. Photo courtesy of the AMS Policy Program.

I had the opportunity to attend the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Summer Policy Colloquium from June 3-12, 2012 in Washington, DC. This event, cosponsored by the American Geophysical Union, provides participants with a 10-day crash course in policy, the US government, and how science fits into both. We were treated to a variety of outstanding speakers throughout the week who provided us with wonderful insight into the role of science in policy and government, and why we, as scientists and citizens, should be actively involved in the process.

It was clear after the second day that I knew pretty much nothing about how the government works, regardless of living in the US my whole life. I never realized all the staff and expertise that reside on the hill on a wide variety of issues that affect society (from clean energy to the economy). After attending this colloquium, I have gained a new appreciation and understanding for the policy process (and why some things may take awhile to get done). One of the most important lessons that I learned is that policy is a process. It begins with an idea of how something can be improved and ends with the implementation of that idea. And unlike how many scientists tend to view problems, point A to B is not necessarily a straight line or a cause and effect solution. Thus, it is important to be involved with the policy (in big and small ways) and help people understand why they should care about all the wonderful science being done throughout the world. If you can do that, you can make a difference.

Another lesson that I learned was that you should love what you do and be passionate about it. I loved hearing all the enthusiasm that the speakers and participants had towards their work. I enjoyed the energy that surrounded people who loved what they do and cared about society. One of my favorite thoughts was that DC is an area full of people who were told when they were children that they can make a difference.

I was fortunate during my 10-days to meet not only the speakers, but also an amazing group of fellow participants. In many of them I see the same passion for making a difference that many of the speakers held, which gives me hope about the future of science and policy. Scientists have an important role in policy, and wonderful events, like this colloquium, help that role be reestablished and flourish into the future. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and highly recommend others to attend the AMS Summer Policy Colloquium in the future!

Note: This blog is a reflection on my personal opinions and do not represent the views of the speakers, participants, AMS Policy Program, or the AGU.

Former Director of National Hurricane Center, Bill Read, to Speak at RSMAS

Posted on June 12, 2012 by RSMAS

Former Director of the National Hurricane Center, Bill Read, will be at the Rosenstiel School (RSMAS) this Thursday, June 14th, 2012 to reflect on his 5-year term in the position. Join others in the RSMAS auditorium at 6:00pm for some great stories and hurricane conversation. More details can be found here.

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Category Archives: Meteorology & Physical Oceanography