NASA Hurricane Research

1
NASA Hurricane Research

• Scott Braun and Gerald Heymsfield
• NASA/GSFC
• Working Group for Tropical Cyclone Research

2
Bottom LineUp Front

• Current research aligned with NASA priorities
• Top priorities for basic research genesis and
  intensity change
• 59 of research toward genesis and intensity
  change
• 14 on obtaining obs. for science and modeling
• Development of new observing technologies not
  included
• Research emphases changing over time
• Early field experiments focused heavily on
  precipitation and microphysics
• Work on NASA AMMA program ending
• New Hurricane Science Research Program begun in
  FY2009
• New field campaign planned for Aug.-Sept. 2010
• New technologies soon to be used (Global Hawk,
  HIWRAP, HAMSR, TwiLite, HIRAD)

3
NASA Man-Years vs. Detailed Research
Intensity / Structure
Track
Genesis
QPF
Surge
Model Development
Observations
Seasonal
4
NASA Man-Years vs Research Category
5
NASA Man-Years Mapped to NHC Priorities
Intensity / Observations
Genesis/sfc winds/structure
Precip / use of sat. microware/radar
6
NASA Man-Years Mapped to JTWC Priorities
Intensity / Obs
Genesis/ structure
Precip / use of sat. microware/radar
Sfc winds
7
Summary / Next Steps

• NASAs focus on genesis, intensity,
  precipitation, and structure
• Much past and future work related to field
  programs
• Some work funded through mission science teams
• Technology/mission development not included here
• Next steps
• Hurricane field program in 2010
• First use of Global Hawk
• New technologies