Author: AOML Communications

Wrapping up the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

November 30th marked the official end to the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Scientists and forecasters from across NOAA worked tirelessly throughout the season to conduct critical tropical cyclone research. This year, NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) coordinated the longest series of missions into a single tropical system, arranged multiple observing assets for simultaneous data collection, deployed new sUAS technology, and included a novel “moving nest” to our next-generation hurricane model.

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AOML Coral Program demonstrate the importance of teamwork, tackling coral conservation from various angles

Coral researchers from NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and the University of Miami Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Science (CIMAS) recently organized into three teams and ventured into the field to tackle a multitude of research projects relating to sensitive coral ecosystems in Miami and the Florida Keys.  The first project, led […]

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How do weak, misaligned tropical cyclones evolve towards alignment? A multi-case study using the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System

The ability to predict whether and when a tropical cyclone will become vertically aligned is critical for intensity change forecasts, as storms can intensify quickly after achieving an aligned structure. A recent study from researchers at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies shows how weak, disorganized tropical cyclones containing different center locations with height, called misalignment, can develop a vertically aligned structure. This study works to improve forecasts of when this alignment might occur by identifying key times of the day and other tropical cyclone characteristics when alignment is likely.

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Study links spread of deadly coral disease to ship ballast water

This story was adapted from an article by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. A new study suggests that ships may be spreading a deadly coral disease across Florida and the Caribbean. The findings may help to establish testing and treatment methods to prevent further spread. According to lead […]

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Study Finds that a Larger than Normal Atlantic Warm Pool Can Lead to an Increase in US Heat Waves

Heat extremes are the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States, prompting the climate community to study the driving forces behind these extreme events to improve their prediction. A new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research finds an increase in summertime heat wave occurrence over the US Great Plains is linked to a larger than normal tropical Atlantic warm pool. 

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Congratulations to the Winners of 2022 Department of Commerce Awards!

Congratulations to all of the 2022 Department of Commerce Bronze Award and NOAA Administrator’s Award winners! AOML is proud to recognize the achievements of our outstanding scientists and staff for their vital contributions to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of NOAA. From creative problem solving in the face of unforeseen challenges to developing innovative tools […]

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AOML Lab Director Receives Presidential Rank Award

President Biden has selected John Cortinas, Ph.D, NOAA’s Director at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, as one of the recipients of the 2022 Presidential Rank Award. The award is one of the most prestigious in the federal career civil service and recognizes the hard work and important contributions of dedicated civil servants in the American federal workforce.

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Modulation of North American Heat Waves by the Tropical Atlantic Warm Pool

Lopez, H., Kim, D., West, R., & Kirtman, B. (2022). Modulation of North American Heat Waves by the Tropical Atlantic Warm Pool. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, e2022JD037705.

Plain Language Summary: Extreme heat is responsible for the most weather-related deaths in the United States (US). Using observations and numerical model experiments, this study investigates the potential predictability of heat waves determined by the state of the tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST). During boreal summer (June-July-August), a larger than normal area of warm SST produces an atmospheric response over the US Great Plains, leading to increased clear-sky conditions, rainfall deficits, surface temperature, and heat wave events. The results of this study suggest a potential seasonal predictability of high-impact extreme heat events, owing to the longer prediction skill of SST.

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