Monitoring Tropical Storms from Space
Weather satellites play a vital role in tracking tropical storms, offering real-time observations of their trajectories and changes in intensity. The advancements in satellite technology and the sophisticated software developed by researchers enable more precise hurricane forecasting, largely supported by federal funding.
For instance, the Cooperative Institutes located in Wisconsin and Colorado have created innovative software and methodologies that assist meteorologists in analyzing the conditions of tropical cyclones and projecting their future intensity when aerial reconnaissance is not available.
The Jason 3 satellite, depicted above, is one of several employed by NOAA during the hurricane season. It is a collaborative project involving NOAA, NASA, and various European agencies.
Credit:
NOAA
One of the significant challenges faced by hurricane scientists is predicting periods of rapid intensification, where a tropical cyclone’s wind speeds escalate by at least 35 mph (56 kilometers per hour) within a 24-hour timeframe.
An example of this occurred in 2018, when Hurricane Michael rapidly intensified, unexpectedly impacting the Florida Panhandle. The Category 5 hurricane inflicted billions of dollars in damages throughout the area, including at Tyndall Air Force Base, where several F-22 Stealth Fighters were damaged while still housed in hangars.
According to the federal budget proposal released recently, which includes drafts marked by Trump’s Office of Management and Budget known as the passback, funding for Cooperative Institutes is absent. Moreover, there is no allocated budget for aircraft improvements. A 2022 NOAA plan indicated intentions to acquire up to six new aircraft for use by the Hurricane Hunters.
The passback budget also proposes cuts to essential technology for future satellites, such as lightning mappers that aid in assessing hurricane intensities and providing warnings to aircraft regarding potential dangers.
Significance of Understanding Tropical Storms
Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause catastrophic destruction, exemplified by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. While these storms were accurately forecasted, they still resulted in significant property damage and numerous fatalities.
The United States is currently experiencing an increase in storm intensity, coupled with a rise in coastal populations and property values at risk. Five former directors of the National Weather Service warned through an open letter that stripping away funding and staff from NOAA’s predictive and warning capabilities could jeopardize countless lives.
Chris Vagasky serves as a Meteorologist and Research Program Manager at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. To access the original article, click here.
