Have you ever wondered how meteorologists predict the path of that soon-to-be Category 5 hurricane that’s lurking out in the ocean? For people who live on coastlines, familiar models like forecast cones and spaghetti models that show a storm’s projected path offer the integral information needed to prepare for a life-saving evacuation.
How We Track Hurricanes
Bringing historic flooding, record-breaking wind speeds, and storm surges that devastate communities, hurricanes make destructive impacts to our coastlines and have been increasing in intensity and frequency in the 21st century. Understanding how these powerful cyclones form and behave is critical to saving lives.
Scientists at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies follow a series of procedures to track a developing storm system using sophisticated tracking tools. This information is sent to Weather Forecast Offices, who then relay the information to the public.
Prior to the development of advanced storm tracking technology, however, forecasters relied on communications from boats at sea and from watching pressure changes on barometers. These forecasting methods were unreliable and often unable to prevent devastation.
The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 claimed up to 12,000 lives and is considered one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history. The town’s decimation marked a turning point in hurricane tracking and forecasting. As a result, advancements were made in meteorological technologies, such as telegraph communication to transmit weather data, establishing hurricane observation stations, and developing detailed hurricane tracking charts.
Meteorologists today use many sophisticated methods and tools to predict and manage hurricanes, such as:
- Weather satellites
- Computer models
- Doppler radar
- Observation stations
- Reconnaissance aircraft/hurricane hunters
- Ocean buoy networks
- Weather balloons
- GIS-based models
What Is GIS?
Most of us use GIS each day and don’t even realize it. That map or navigational app you use on your phone for directions and when searching for a nearby store, landmark, or gas station? It operates with the support of GIS technology.
GIS is short for geographic information system. It refers to a computer system that stores and interprets spatial data and technology from a specific geographic location. Geographic information systems are used in numerous industries, like urban planning, environmental management, public health, transportation networks, natural resources, and climatology.
Meteorologists, researchers, and emergency managers use GIS-based models to visualize and integrate data from sources like satellite imagery and topographical maps into a geographical framework. The framework is used to predict and manage hurricanes more effectively. This technology also makes real-time weather and storm tracking apps possible.
How Is GIS Applied When Tracking Hurricanes?
- Data visualization and integration
GIS integrates data sources like satellite imagery, radar data, weather station observations, and topographic and oceanographic data.
- Models and forecasts
GIS-based models use historical storm data, atmospheric conditions, and geography to help predict storm paths, storm intensity, and impacts. These predictions help meteorologists create early warning systems and aid in decision-making and hurricane preparedness.
- Evacuation planning
GIS allows for the identification of proper evacuation and routing zones based on a storm’s projected path, transportation networks, and the affected region’s topography.
- Real-time data for public use
Real-time weather is presented in the form of interactive maps, such as the National Ocean Service’s nowCOAST web portal, and in any real-time map you use when tracking the movement and intensity of a storm. Many hurricane tracking apps also include evacuation zones and routes, shelters, and other details powered by GIS technology.
- Potential impacts
GIS-based models help predict the potential impacts to areas at risk, including vulnerable populations, affected infrastructure, and potential economic loss.
- Damage assessment
After a storm, officials use GIS-based models to assess damage in the affected region, which helps organize response and recovery efforts.
Explore the Dynamic World of Geospatial Technology
The University of Texas Permian Basin has been involved in the GIS and geospatial industry for over two decades, empowering us to develop a program curriculum with an in-depth industry perspective. Our 12-credit online GIS and Geospatial Graduate Certificate program dives into the wide-ranging applications of geoscience information systems and geospatial technology. You’ll master geoscience tools like GPS, mapping, and cartography and attain knowledge that’s applicable to a wide range of careers including:
- Meteorologist
- Geographer
- Energy and petroleum professional
- Environmental analyst
- Real estate developer
- Epidemiologist
- Natural resource manager
- Cartographer
GIS is also commonly used by retail businesses, marketing companies and engineering companies and applied in scientific and criminal investigations, giving you an astonishing array of career options.
The knowledge you’ll gain with our online GIS and geospatial graduate certificate is also applicable to critical real-life challenges, such as understanding the logistics of transportation, familiarity with regional geography in the event of a disaster, and even how to track hurricanes. With climate change causing more frequent and intense storms in many of our regions, understanding the process of how we track severe weather is essential.
Embark on a journey of discovery and earn a unique geoscience credential that will set you apart in any industry! Classes are entirely online and asynchronous and can be completed on your own time. There are no prerequisite courses required. Apply here!
Sources:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geographic-information-system-gis
https://www.gislounge.com/predicting-assessing-impact-hurricanes-gis