George (Trey) Alvey

Research Interests

Tropical cyclone intensity change.

Vortex scale dynamics.

Cooperative interactions between tropical cyclone environments and inner core region.

Diagnosing causes of tropical cyclone model errors, particularly within HAFS.

Satellite and radar based observations of tropical cyclones.

George (Trey) Alvey, Ph.D.

Assistant Scientist (University of Miami/CIMAS), Hurricane Research Division

786.465.3011

george.alvey@noaa.gov

4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149

About

Dr. George (Trey) Alvey’s research is currently focused on tropical cyclone intensification, particularly during the early stages of tropical cyclone development. This includes subtopics such as vortex scale dynamics and vortex alignment. Other current research projects involve process based studies using Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) and modeling studies with the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS).

Current Work & CV

Current Work

Radar analysis of tropical cyclone intensification and vortex-scale dynamics
Utilization of Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) for thermodynamic information in relation to intensity change processes like vortex alignment
Early stage tropical cyclone dynamical studies using HAFS and investigations of track and intensity errors
Radar scientist and Lead Project Scientist for Advancing the Prediction of Hurricanes Experiment (APHEX)

Download Full CV

Education

2019, Ph.D., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

2015, M.S., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

2012, B.S., University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Publications

Alvey III, G. R., Alaka Jr, G. J., Gramer, L., & Hazelton, A. Evaluation of Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) Error Statistics Stratified by Internal Structure and Environmental Metrics Weather and Forecasting, 40(1), 131-147., https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-24-0030.1 2025
Ref. 4518
Blackwell, W. J., S. Braun, G. Alvey, R. Atlas, R. Bennartz, J. Braun, K. Cahoy, R. Chen, G. Chirokova, B. Dahl, J. Darlow, M. DeMaria, M. Diliberto, J. Dunion, P. Duran, T. J. Greenwald, S. Griffin, Z. Griffith, D. Herndon, J. Hawkins, S. Kalluri, C. Kidd, M. J. Kim, R. V. Leslie, F. Marks, T. Matsui, W. McCarty, A. Milstein, G. Perras, M. Pieper, R. Rogers, C. Velden, Y. You, and N. Zorn High revisit rate tropical cyclone observations from the NASA TROPICS constellation mission Proceedings of the IEEE., https://10.1109/JPROC.2025.3582502 2025
Ref. 4581
Wadler, J. B., Villafane, L., Cione, J. J., Adkins, K., & Alvey III, G. R. What Was the Bumpiest Flight Ever on NOAA's WP-3D Hurricane Hunter Aircraft? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 106(5), E849-E867., https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0065.1 2025
Ref. 4545

View all Related Publications

Alvey III, G. R., Alaka Jr, G. J., Gramer, L., & Hazelton, A. Evaluation of Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) Error Statistics Stratified by Internal Structure and Environmental Metrics Weather and Forecasting, 40(1), 131-147., https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-24-0030.1 2025
Ref. 4518
Blackwell, W. J., S. Braun, G. Alvey, R. Atlas, R. Bennartz, J. Braun, K. Cahoy, R. Chen, G. Chirokova, B. Dahl, J. Darlow, M. DeMaria, M. Diliberto, J. Dunion, P. Duran, T. J. Greenwald, S. Griffin, Z. Griffith, D. Herndon, J. Hawkins, S. Kalluri, C. Kidd, M. J. Kim, R. V. Leslie, F. Marks, T. Matsui, W. McCarty, A. Milstein, G. Perras, M. Pieper, R. Rogers, C. Velden, Y. You, and N. Zorn High revisit rate tropical cyclone observations from the NASA TROPICS constellation mission Proceedings of the IEEE., https://10.1109/JPROC.2025.3582502 2025
Ref. 4581
Wadler, J. B., Villafane, L., Cione, J. J., Adkins, K., & Alvey III, G. R. What Was the Bumpiest Flight Ever on NOAA's WP-3D Hurricane Hunter Aircraft? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 106(5), E849-E867., https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0065.1 2025
Ref. 4545
Alvey, G.R. III, G.J. Alaka Jr., L. Gramer, and A. Hazelton. Evaluation of Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) error statistics stratified by internal structure and environmental metrics. Weather and Forecasting, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-24-0030.1 2024
Ref. 4462
Hazelton, A., X. Chen, G.J. Alaka Jr., G.R. Alvey III, S. Gopalakrishnan, and F.D. Marks. Sensitivity of HAFS-B tropical cyclone forecasts to planetary boundary layer and microphysics parameterizations. Weather and Forecasting, 39(4):655-678, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-23-0124.1 2024
Ref. 4389
Rajasree, P.M., X. Cao, H. Ramsay, K.M. Nunez-Ocasio, G. Kilroy, G.R. Alvey III, M. Chang, C.C. Nam, H. Fudeyasu, H.-F. Teng, and H. Yu. Tropical cyclogenesis: Controlling factors and physical mechanisms. Tropical Cyclone Research and Review, 12(3):165-181, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcrr.2023.09.004 2023
Ref. 4327
Stone, Z., G.R. Alvey III, J.P. Dunion, M.S. Fischer, D.J. Raymond, R.F. Rogers, S. Sentic, and J. Zawislak. Thermodynamic contribution to vortex alignment and rapid intensification of Hurricane Sally (2020). Monthly Weather Review, 151(4):931-951, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-22-0201.1 2023
Ref. 4228
Alvey, G.R., and A. Hazelton. How do weak, misaligned tropical cyclones evolve toward alignment? A case study using the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System. Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 127(10):e2022JD037268, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JD037268 2022
Ref. 4178
Alvey, G.R., M. Fischer, P. Reasor, J. Zawislak, and R. Rogers. Observed processes underlying the favorable vortex repositioning early in the development of Dorian (2019). Monthly Weather Review, 150(1):253-273, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-21-0069.1 2022
Ref. 4040
Zawislak, J., R.F. Rogers, S.D. Aberson, G.J. Alaka, G. Alvey, A. Aksoy, L. Bucci, J. Cione, N. Dorst, J. Dunion, M. Fischer, J. Gamache, S. Gopalakrishnan, A. Hazelton, H.M. Holbach, J. Kaplan, H. Leighton, F. Marks, S.T. Murillo, P. Reasor, K. Ryan, K. Sellwood, J.A. Sippel, and J.A. Zhang. Accomplishments of NOAA’S airborne hurricane field program and a broader future approach to forecast improvement. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 103(2):E311-E338, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0174.1 2022
Ref. 3984
Alvey, G.R., E. Zipser, and J. Zawislak. How does Hurricane Edouard (2014) evolve toward symmetry before rapid intensification? A Cloud-resolving ensemble study. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 77(4):1329-1351, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-18-0355.1 2020
Ref. 3743

Awards

2020 U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal

For courage, dedication, and heroism during search and rescue operations aboard NOAA’s P-3 Hurricane Hunter aircraft to locate the vessel Bourbon Rhode and its crew (on September 27 – 28, 2019).