Predicting Hurricane's Wrath
Computer modeling of Hurricane Matthew.
As Hurricane Matthew barreled through the Caribbean and toward the U.S. Atlantic coast in 2016, forecasters have worked to determine the storm’s probable path and intensity, in order to make appropriate recommendations to the regions in the storm’s path. Zhaoxia Pu, a professor of University of Utah’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, is one of the scientists using computer models and algorithms to improving hurricane forecasting. In particular, her research uses radar and satellite observations to improve the data inputs that are essential for these computer models to produce more accurate hurricane forecasts.
Pu and her graduate students are currently involved in the National Weather Service’s “Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program (HFIP),” aimed at improving the nation’s capability in predicting hurricanes. She is available to comment on the practice of hurricane forecasting, the difficulty in predicting a hurricane’s intensity, and Matthew’s possible tracks – which includes a potential to loop around and hit Florida again.
Zhaoxia Pu, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, 801-673-6698, zhaoxia.pu@utah.edu