Predicting Hurricane Flooding Risks to the East Coast

news image
Special Stories
10 Apr 2018 8:11 AM
[A random simulation of possible tracks that a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean could take, from the Hurricane Interactive Track Simulator developed at Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. The simulator helps scientists calculate landfall risk along the U.S. coast. With future upgrades, it will also include wind and precipitation information to predict flooding impacts as well. Image: Yochanan Kushnir] From Columbia University A model developed at Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory will soon make its debut in the real world, helping to characterize and predict the paths and impacts of hurricanes on the East Coast. Columbia University and data-analytics firm Jupiter announced plans to collaborate on improved hurricane track simulations, so that the public and private sectors can plan for weather and climate risks. Columbia’s ground-breaking hurricane and climate science will be added to Jupiter’s ClimateScore Intelligence Platform, which translates research into information that decision-makers can use to manage and mitigate climate change risks. The platform already predicts local probabilities of extreme temperatures and flooding; soon it will include hurricane-related hazards such as heavy winds, rain, and storm surge. As part of the collaboration, Columbia will lead efforts to expand upon their Hurricane Interactive Track Simulator (HITS). [For Hurricane Sandy, (a) simulated hurricane wind strength area in 6-h time periods per year, (b) maximum sustained winds from 26 Oct to 31 Oct 2012, (c) simulated mainland landfalls, and (d) watch/warning image from the National Hurricane Center at 1700 EDT 26 Oct 2012. Black circles in (a)–(c) indicate the actual path of Hurricane Sandy and a large black X indicates where the simulation was started.] Currently, the HITS model simulates hurricane tracks and assesses landfall risk along the Atlantic coast of Central and North America. The team will extend the model to include the effects of severe wind and precipitation, which can be used to assess the risk of coastal and inland flooding. This is a critical step toward designing risk management strategies. Jupiter is committing more than $300,000 to the upgrade, and will provide technical support. “We have over 120 scientists here at Columbia working on cutting-edge research questions relevant to informing climate risks to society, infrastructure and ecosystems,” said Peter deMenocal, founding director of Columbia’s Center for Climate and Life at Lamont-Doherty. “By integrating our scientists and unique data assets with Jupiter’s leading climate technology innovation, this novel partnership can accelerate the knowledge needed to support action in the marketplace.” Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across The South Friday

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across The South Friday

A frontal boundary stretched across half of t

2 May 2025 12:40 PM
Big Pattern Shake Up for the West Upcoming

Big Pattern Shake Up for the West Upcoming

A huge digging upper level low is heading fro

2 May 2025 11:55 AM
Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentuc

2 May 2025 11:30 AM
Flooding Threat Continues in Oklahoma Friday Morning

Flooding Threat Continues in Oklahoma Friday Morning

The forecast remains wet in the southern plai

2 May 2025 3:00 AM
Storms Back in the Ohio Valley and Northeast Tonight

Storms Back in the Ohio Valley and Northeast Tonight

OHIO VALLEY - After a very stormy and wet mon

2 May 2025 2:50 AM
Rain For Denver, Snow For The Mountains

Rain For Denver, Snow For The Mountains

A cold front and area of low pressure slide t

1 May 2025 12:25 AM
Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Fire weather concerns have been all too commo

29 Apr 2025 6:40 PM