Federal Hurricane Forecasting Saves Lives & Money - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica highlights the critical role of federal hurricane forecasting, particularly by NOAA, in saving lives and reducing economic losses. Since Hurricane Katrina, the accuracy and lead time of hurricane forecasts have significantly improved due to the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program established in 2007. A 5-day forecast today offers the same reliability as a 2-day forecast did in 2005, effectively doubling the lead time and enabling better preparedness. This advancement has contributed to fewer casualties and lower damage costs despite hurricanes becoming more intense and destructive over recent decades. The article also emphasizes that while the number of hurricanes hitting the U.S. annually has not increased, their severity has, with Category 3 or higher storms doubling since 1980. Climate change is identified as a key driver behind this trend, as warmer oceans increase evaporation and fuel more intense storms and rainfall. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center and its research division play an indispensable role in forecasting by integrating real-time data from ocean buoys and other monitoring tools.