Tropical cyclones (known as typhoons, cyclones, and/or hurricanes) are rapidly rotating, warm-cored, atmospheric vortices and are among the most destructive natural hazards in the world. An intense cyclone is often featured with a calm, precipitation-free eye surrounded by a nearly closed eyewall, and distinct spiral rainbands further outside. Tropical cyclones mainly develop over warm waters in the tropical or subtropical oceans. The formation, structure, and intensity changes of these storms involve complex multi-scale interactions that are not yet completely understood. As a result, our ability to predict the genesis, motion, structure, and intensity change of a tropical cyclone is very limited. Recent concerns about the possible impact of global warming on the activities of such storms have renewed questions about what determines their intensity and what factors affect their frequency over different ocean basins.
Facilities and Labs
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Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (CIMAR) Formerly JIMAR, CIMAR studies ecosystem, oceanographic, hazard, and climate issues of major scientific, economic, and social importance to the region... -
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) One of eleven regional-scale ocean observing programs in the country, focused on collection of ocean data, prediction of ocean conditions,...
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UH Sea Grant College Program Focused on research and education related to sustainable coastal development, hazard resilience in coastal communities, sustainable coastal tourism, indigenous cultural...
