Photo courtesy of Forbes.com
“Hurricane Season 2020: Preparing in a Pandemic,” an online event hosted by Hofstra’s Sustainability Studies graduate program on Thursday, May 28, shared research and information on how to be more prepared for hurricanes. Meteorologist and program director Jase Bernhardt led the discussion on what to expect for this upcoming season.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially started on Monday, June 1. However, 2020 will likely see more hurricanes than in previous years. “Most of the tropical Atlantic Ocean is warmer than normal, so that’s one big key,” Bernhardt said. “If that pattern persists, if we remain warmer than normal ocean water, that’s more potential energy for hurricanes to form and strengthen.”
Two tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, have appeared in the western Atlantic Ocean and near South Carolina respectively. Experts predict six to 10 total hurricanes, which is 60% above average according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service.
“I think it’s pretty telling that it’s so much higher than the average,” said Amanda Nikias, a Hofstra business graduate who attended the event. “Instead of it being maybe 15 to 20% higher, it’s 60%, which is detrimental to those who live on the coast.”
Usually, good weather sources will give a seven- to eight-day notice for upcoming hurricanes. However, Bernhardt is currently conducting research on how to improve weather warning communication by simulating intense and catastrophic hurricanes using virtual reality technology. Bernhardt’s virtual reality technology allows experts to communicate with people using a headset.
“This is a great way to show what a hurricane looks like instead of just being in a lecture,” he explained. “You could actually put on a virtual reality headset and experience what it’s like to be flooded by a storm surge.”
Virtual reality technology is popular for students in elementary school, middle school and high school because of its interactive capabilities.
“I think virtual reality can really help with our weather warnings since it gives more of a realistic view of what the weather outcome will be,” said Abigail Carmona , a senior journalism major. “It is important now since our air pollution is clearing up the weather has been unpredictable. Virtual reality can really be helpful for meteorologists and the people.”
“A virtual reality that simulates a real hurricane would help people understand what it’s like in an actual hurricane situation, allowing them to prepare and practice before a real hurricane occurs,” said Serena Torres, a sophomore public relations major. “It would help with Long Island’s weather warnings because, using virtual reality, people would know what a catastrophic hurricane is like.”
Bernhardt reminded all those in attendance that despite these advances in hurricane warning communication, it is still difficult to predict a storm’s impact. “Each hurricane is different; therefore some of them are more predictable and some of them are less predictable,” he said. “Sometimes, though, if the hurricanes are strengthening quickly or are very dynamic and changing direction a lot, then it can be harder to forecast them.”