HURRICANE CENTER

National Tropical Weather Conference

HURRICANE CENTER: The people, science and decisions that protect communities before, during and after the storm.

  1. 4 days ago

    S8: Episode: 146 - When Rain Becomes a Flood - Jeff Lindner

    Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner explains why predicting rainfall is only part of the challenge—and how new forecasting tools, hydrology and lessons from historic floods are changing the way we understand risk. Jeff Lindner joins Hurricane Center Live for a wide-ranging conversation about tropical weather, extreme rainfall and the rapidly changing science of flood forecasting. Lindner is a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, where rainfall forecasts have to become something much more operational: How much water will fall? Where will it go? How quickly will rivers, bayous and streets respond—and when does that become dangerous? The Flood Control District continues to identify Lindner as one of its meteorologists and has long used his expertise in flood operations and public warning.  One of the most interesting parts of the discussion looks at the limits of traditional weather modeling and the next generation of higher-resolution and machine-learning guidance. Jeff talks about the challenge of turning increasingly sophisticated rainfall forecasts into useful hydrologic information—especially when small differences in where the heaviest rain falls can produce dramatically different outcomes. The conversation also reaches beyond hurricanes. Lindner discusses his recent field work examining historic flash floods in Colorado and an intriguing comparison between the catastrophic 1976 flood and a much larger rainfall event decades later. The lesson: rainfall totals alone don't necessarily determine the size of a flood. Duration, terrain, soil conditions, watershed response and changes to the landscape all matter. It is a reminder that forecasting the storm is only the beginning. Understanding what the water does next may be just as important. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  2. 29 Jul

    Episode 144: BEYOND THE HURRICANE HUNTERS: The Future of Storm Observation

    Hurricane Hunter aircraft have transformed our understanding of tropical cyclones, but there are still parts of a hurricane that are too low, too turbulent and too dangerous for a crewed aircraft to explore. That is where a new generation of uncrewed aircraft systems is changing the science. In this episode of the HurricaneCenter Podcast, we speak with Dr. Joe Cione, lead meteorologist with NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division and a leader in the development and deployment of emerging hurricane-observation technology. Dr. Cione explains why the lowest portion of a hurricane—the boundary layer immediately above the ocean—is so important to understanding storm structure and intensity. It is the region where the hurricane interacts directly with the sea, transferring heat, moisture and momentum, yet it has historically been one of the most difficult areas for scientists to observe. The conversation explores how small aircraft launched from NOAA Hurricane Hunter planes can descend into the eye, eyewall and lower levels of a tropical cyclone while transmitting measurements back to researchers. We also discuss: Why hurricane intensity remains more difficult to forecast than trackWhat scientists still need to learn about rapid intensificationWhy the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere mattersHow uncrewed systems complement aircraft, satellites, dropsondes and ocean platformsThe engineering challenges of operating inside hurricane-force windsHow observations are eventually incorporated into forecast modelsThe importance of collaboration among government, academia and private industryWhat the next generation of hurricane reconnaissance may look likeHow better observations can ultimately support earlier and more confident emergency decisionsDr. Cione has spent decades investigating the hurricane environment and developing ways to collect measurements from locations that were once inaccessible. His work has included the Coyote, Altius-600 and Black Swift uncrewed aircraft systems. A NOAA team that deployed an Altius aircraft into Hurricane Ian’s eyewall received the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for scientific and engineering achievement. Later Black Swift missions demonstrated extended flight time, communication range and the ability to operate within extreme hurricane conditions. This episode offers a rare look at the technology, science and human persistence behind the effort to better understand one of the atmosphere’s most powerful phenomena. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  3. 22 Jul

    S8:143 Rebuilding Together: Florida Recovery & Resilience After the Storm

    When a hurricane strikes, the first images are often wind, rain, storm surge and damage. But for many families, the hardest part begins after the cameras move on: finding help, repairing unsafe homes, navigating recovery programs and trying to rebuild a sense of normalcy. On this episode of the HurricaneCenter Podcast, Jose Garcia of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida joins the conversation to discuss the recovery side of hurricane preparedness. The discussion focuses on what happens after disaster strikes, why safe housing is central to recovery, and how community partnerships can help homeowners - especially vulnerable families - move from damage toward resilience. Jose shares perspective on the real-world challenges families face after storms: roof damage, water intrusion, unsafe living conditions, financial barriers, contractor concerns and the emotional toll of a long recovery. The episode also looks at how preparedness, mitigation and rebuilding stronger can reduce risk before the next hurricane season. The bigger message: hurricane preparedness is not just about tracking the cone. It is about what families, neighborhoods, nonprofits, local governments and partners do before and after the storm to protect people and restore homes. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  4. 24 Jun

    S8: Episode 139 Early Season Storms: Signal or Noise?

    Early tropical activity can create a lot of noise. A June storm near land may grab headlines, raise anxiety and spark big seasonal questions: Is this a sign of an active year? Does an early storm mean the season is ahead of schedule? Or is it just one weather event in a much larger climate pattern? On this episode of HurricaneCenter, Michael Lowry joins the program to help answer those questions. Lowry brings a rare combination of tropical forecasting, storm surge, broadcast and emergency management experience. He currently serves as Hurricane Specialist and Storm Surge Expert at WPLG-TV Miami, and his background includes work with the National Hurricane Center, The Weather Channel, FEMA and emergency management. The conversation centers on the difference between short-term tropical weather and longer-season signals. Early storms can be important, especially when they produce flooding, coastal water issues, gusty winds or public confusion. But they do not always say much about what the peak of the season will bring. Lowry helps frame what forecasters look for instead: large-scale steering patterns, ocean heat, vertical wind shear, moisture, pressure patterns and where storms are forming. The episode also explores communication. Early-season systems can be messy, sheared, lopsided or close to land. Those storms may not look impressive on satellite, but they can still produce meaningful local impacts. That is where clear messaging matters: rainfall, storm surge, coastal flooding and power interruptions can occur even when a storm is not a classic major hurricane. This is a useful episode for weather professionals, emergency managers, coastal residents and anyone trying to understand how to read the tropics without overreacting to every early-season development. Key Takeaways Early storms do not automatically define the rest of hurricane season.A named storm can be impactful even if it is weak, sheared or poorly organized.The best seasonal clues often come from large-scale patterns, not a single storm.Storm surge and rainfall risk can be more important than category or appearance.Communication matters most when the atmosphere produces messy, borderline systems.The public should prepare for the season as a whole, not just react to the first storm.Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

About

HURRICANE CENTER: The people, science and decisions that protect communities before, during and after the storm.

You Might Also Like