Hurricane Research Division
Encyclopedia
The Hurricane Research Division (HRD) is a section of the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
(AOML) in Miami, Florida, and is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
's (NOAA) focus for tropical cyclone research. The thirty member division is not a part of the National Hurricane Center
but cooperates closely with them in carrying out its annual field program and in transitioning research results into operational tools for hurricane forecasters. HRD was formed from the National Hurricane Research Laboratory
in 1984, when it was transferred to AOML and unified with the oceanographic laboratories.
In August, 1992, the AOML/HRD facility sustained moderate damage after the passage of Hurricane Andrew
across southern Dade County, Florida, however, despite significant personal disruption to the lives of almost all of its staff members, HRD reconnaissance flights continued into Andrew until it made a final landfall along the Louisiana coastline several days later.
During the 1990s the HRD staff continued to refine its forecasting models, and although a period that included the retirement or transfer of several long-time key research staff members, flew research flights into a number of notable hurricanes of that decade, including Hurricane Opal
(1995) and Hurricane Georges
(1998).
During the disastrous 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
, the HRD staff flew ongoing missions into infamous Hurricane Katrina
, which provided invaluable data that continues to be studied at their Miami facility.
Every hurricane season, HRD carries out an annual field program during which it collects information on tropical cyclones (especially, but not limited to, Atlantic hurricanes) in order to improve scientific understanding of their formation, structure, and dynamics. Data is collected from satellites, land-based radar, wind towers, and from aircraft. They archive flight information from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters
, and plan and participate in research flights on NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center
planes. The present fleet consists of two Orion P-3 four-engine turboprops, which can fly directly into the eye of hurricanes, and a Gulfstream IV high-altitude jet, which is used to fly around tropical cyclones, dropping instrument packages called dropsonde
s.
When not engaged in field operations, HRD scientists and computer programmers process and interpret the information they have gathered. They also work on theoretical studies and produce computer simulations of tropical cyclones and tropical weather. In this work, they collaborate with scientists from many other government and academic institutions from around the globe. The results of their research are presented at conferences and published in the scientific literature.
Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory , a federal research laboratory, is part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research , located in Miami, Florida...
(AOML) in Miami, Florida, and is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
's (NOAA) focus for tropical cyclone research. The thirty member division is not a part of the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
but cooperates closely with them in carrying out its annual field program and in transitioning research results into operational tools for hurricane forecasters. HRD was formed from the National Hurricane Research Laboratory
National Hurricane Research Laboratory
The National Hurricane Research Laboratory was formed in December 1964 out of the National Hurricane Research Project, the U. S. Weather Bureau's effort to scientifically examine tropical cyclones in order to make better predictions. Laboratory status signified that this effort was now a...
in 1984, when it was transferred to AOML and unified with the oceanographic laboratories.
In August, 1992, the AOML/HRD facility sustained moderate damage after the passage of Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew was the third Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States, after the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969. Andrew was the first named storm and only major hurricane of the otherwise inactive 1992 Atlantic hurricane season...
across southern Dade County, Florida, however, despite significant personal disruption to the lives of almost all of its staff members, HRD reconnaissance flights continued into Andrew until it made a final landfall along the Louisiana coastline several days later.
During the 1990s the HRD staff continued to refine its forecasting models, and although a period that included the retirement or transfer of several long-time key research staff members, flew research flights into a number of notable hurricanes of that decade, including Hurricane Opal
Hurricane Opal
Hurricane Opal was a Category 4 hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995.Opal was the ninth hurricane and the strongest of the abnormally active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season...
(1995) and Hurricane Georges
Hurricane Georges
Hurricane Georges was a very destructive, powerful and long-lived Cape Verde-type Category 4 hurricane. Georges was the seventh tropical storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season...
(1998).
During the disastrous 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
2005 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
, the HRD staff flew ongoing missions into infamous Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, which provided invaluable data that continues to be studied at their Miami facility.
Every hurricane season, HRD carries out an annual field program during which it collects information on tropical cyclones (especially, but not limited to, Atlantic hurricanes) in order to improve scientific understanding of their formation, structure, and dynamics. Data is collected from satellites, land-based radar, wind towers, and from aircraft. They archive flight information from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
, and plan and participate in research flights on NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center
Aircraft Operations Center
The Aircraft Operations Center is the main base for the approximately 15 aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government.It is the home base of the NOAA Hurricane Hunters....
planes. The present fleet consists of two Orion P-3 four-engine turboprops, which can fly directly into the eye of hurricanes, and a Gulfstream IV high-altitude jet, which is used to fly around tropical cyclones, dropping instrument packages called dropsonde
Dropsonde
A dropsonde is a weather reconnaissance device created by the National Center for Atmospheric Research , designed to be dropped from an aircraft at altitude to more accurately measure tropical storm conditions as the device falls to the surface...
s.
When not engaged in field operations, HRD scientists and computer programmers process and interpret the information they have gathered. They also work on theoretical studies and produce computer simulations of tropical cyclones and tropical weather. In this work, they collaborate with scientists from many other government and academic institutions from around the globe. The results of their research are presented at conferences and published in the scientific literature.