Estimating Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Landfall Probability for the United States
Date
2006-12
Authors
Brettschneider, Brian
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Abstract
This dissertation examines the historical record of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic Basin to determine the eventual landfall probability for the United States coastline based on the complete tracks of the storms. A spatial dimension is added so that the entire basin is evaluated to determine which storms in all portions of the basin ultimately strike the United States. A tessellation of 3,375 hexagons are systematically evaluated and eventual landfall probabilities are calculated for all storms passing through each hexagon. Probabilities are calculated and mapped for each of twelve states and regions from Texas to Maine. The maps show spatial areas that contribute storms to each of the twelve states and regions. Additionally, an average length of time until landfall is calculated for the entire Atlantic Basin based on the complete period of record. This highlights regions of the Atlantic Basin lying outside of the maximum forecast period – up to 15 days prior to potential landfall.
Description
Keywords
Hurricane, Hurdat, Best-track, Probability, Risk, Vulnerability
Citation
Brettschneider, B. (2006). Estimating Atlantic basin tropical cyclone landfall probability for the United States (Unpublished dissertation). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.