The NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory’s Hurricane Research Division (HRD) mission is to advance the understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical weather. HRD’s research is based on a combination of models, theories, and observations, with particular emphasis on data obtained from high-resolution numerical models and research aircraft in the inner core of tropical cyclones and their surrounding environment. The goals of this research are to:
- Advance the prediction of tropical cyclone intensity and structure change by improving understanding of the processes that modulate internal storm dynamics and storm interactions with the atmosphere and ocean;
- Improve the prediction of tropical cyclone tracks by enhancing understanding of the interactions between a tropical cyclone and its environment through an optimal analysis of numerical model data and field observations;
- Improve the understanding of and ability to predict tropical cyclone frequency, intensity, and structure on intraseasonal, interannual, decadal and longer time scales; and
- Enhance the ability to diagnose and predict the impact of tropical cyclones on life and property through wind, rain, waves, and storm surge.
These goals are accomplished by:
- designing and conducting research experiments in the hurricane to collect and provide data for research and operational applications;
- analyzing these data sets and publishing the research in the refereed literature;
- developing new technology and applications based on this research to improve NOAA’s products;
- developing and testing hurricane models to improve their ability to simulate nature, improve forecasts, and to optimize hurricane observing through the development of improved observing strategies, and
- providing outreach to the public through the WWW, conferences, presentations, and other means.
