Hurricanes
When a natural disaster occurs, time can be our greatest ally in order to preempt the damage it might cause. The process of predicting an upcoming disaster has been ongoing for hundreds of years. However, only recently have we been able to step away from the shadow of oracle bones and fortunetellers and into the light of science and technology. With modern science at their disposal, scientists and weather forecasters alike must determine not only how to better gather information, but how to interoperate and apply this data to save lives and property. Hurricanes have been a destructive natural force for thousands of years; however, modern technology now allows humans a chance to lessen the blow that they might cause. A hurricane is a migratory tropical cyclone that originates over oceans in certain regions near the equator. By most accounts, the modern era of hurricane forecasting began in the 1960s, when satellites could first monitor a storm's progression from space. In the United States, we receive our official hurricane forecasts from the National Hurricane Center in southern Florida. An official forecast results from the study and analysis of complex computer models, along with general knowledge of hurricane formation an
Over the years, these new technologies will help to increase the accuracy of hurricane prediction. Information from satellites can help to track a hurricane's movement with extreme precision, giving scientists the ability to see which areas are being affected by the storm. Other emerging technologies include remote sensing devices such as airborne Doppler radar, which measures the intensity and direction of precipitation, C-band scatterometer, which measures wind speeds and stepped frequency microwave radiometer, which can take measurements using microwaves. However, all forecasts are not made solely by computer model. Recently, in order to further our knowledge of hurricanes, the Hurricane Research Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has instituted a program of increased development for forecasting instruments. Unfortunately, hurricanes are not a static force. As they fall through the storm, these advanced devices send back invaluable information to the airplane. However, the most valuable information is always obtained from the hurricane hunters that fly into them. Rather than relying on computers as their only source of information, meteorologists also use their own knowledge about hurricanes in their forecasts. Hurricanes generally travel in a shape similar to that of a parabola, but their directional behavior depends on location. However, technology is playing a larger role in hurricane prediction every year, especially in long-range forecasting situations. Ever since the advent of hurricane forecasting, the science has continuously become more accurate because of new technology and human experience. In the southern hemisphere, the usual path of the hurricane is initially to the southwest and subsequently to the southeast. Modern probes can give more real-time information about a hurricane then was ever dreamed possible 20 years ago, allowing scientists to better understand these storms and where they might travel next.
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