Patterns Associated with Hurricanes Making Landfall in the United States
Posted by
Skip Wiley on 12/5/2011, 3:54 pm
Atlantic hurricanes, category 2 or higher striking the U.S. indicate a multi-year clustering of Atlantic and Gulf Coast landfalls. Eight seasons with Gulf of Mexico (west) landfalls and eight seasons with Atlantic coast (east) landfalls were chosen to illustrate the atmospheric and ocean differences between two landfall regions. Bi-monthly averages were produced from December prior to the hurricane season through October to show the evolution of synoptic patterns. The SST for both landfall areas indicated the onset of La Nina prior to the peaks of hurricane season but the onset was later for Gulf of Mexico landfall seasons. The 700 hPa zonal winds also reflected that with more persistent westerly flow in the February to May time frame for the Gulf of Mexico cases as did the negative sea level pressure anomalies over the southern Pacific Ocean. Persistent sea level pressure anomalies were present over North Africa for the East Coast cases but not the Gulf Coast cases. Positive precipitable water anomalies were significant and increase over the main development region from February to September for Gulf of Mexico landfall years. NCEP reanalysis data were extracted to show trends at locations where significant differences exist between the two regimes. This research indicates differences in the evolution of hurricane seasons in which landfalls are distinctly along the Atlantic Coast or Gulf of Mexico Coast.
Free NOAA webinar for those interested.
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/seminars/2011/12-dec.html#dec152011_Paxton |
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Patterns Associated with Hurricanes Making Landfall in the United States - Skip Wiley, 12/5/2011, 3:54 pm Post A Reply
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