Pulse of the Planet Series Dr. David A. Robinson Chair, Department of Geography & New Jersey State Climatologist Rutgers University September 22, 2007

Pulse of the Planet Series

Dr. David A. RobinsonChair, Department of Geography &

New Jersey State ClimatologistRutgers University

September 22, 2007

Liberty Science Center

Understanding and PredictingCoastal Storms

Atlantic City 1944

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David A. Robinson

This Morning's Agenda

1. A state climatologist? 2. Two flavors of coastal storms

Tropical storms & hurricanesMid-latitude lows (aka: Nor'easters)

3. Memorable Jersey "visits"4. Predicting storms: present and future5. Keeping a watchful eye on Jersey weather


David A. Robinson

Before learning of this presentation, did you know that NJ had a state climate office at Rutgers?

A) Yes, I’m a weather/climate enthusiast.

B) Yes, whether I wanted to or not!

C) No, wish I had known earlier.

D) No, and I was much the better for it!


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Office of the NJ State Climatologist

Our mission: Monitor Understand Inform

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Agriculture/horticulture Ecology Water resources Public health & safety Energy Transportation Commerce

Recognizing that climate impacts life in NJ


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In which direction do winds circulate around a Northern Hemisphere low pressure system?

A) Clockwise

B) Counter clockwise


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In which direction do winds circulate around a Northern Hemisphere low pressure system?

B) Counter clockwise


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Storms redistribute heat and moisture from low to high latitudes


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Rating Tropical Storms & Hurricanes


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Which type of storm feeds off ofcold and warm air clashing?

A) Tropical storm

B) Mid-latitude low pressure system

C) Both of the above storms


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Which type of storm feeds off ofcold and warm air clashing?

B) Mid-latitude low pressure system


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Conditions Necessary for

Tropical Storm Formation

– Warm water: in excess of 27oC (81oF)

– Unstable atmosphere…..to a point


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Tropical cyclone structure


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The Atlantic tropical storm season runs from….

A) August - September

B) June - November

C) July - September

D) January 1 – December 31


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The Atlantic tropical storm season

runs from….

B) June - November


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Tropical storm genesis areas and related storm tracks


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The Atlantic Basin


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How often does a hurricane make landfall(eye comes ashore) in New Jersey?

A) Every year

B) Once a decade

C) About once a century

D) Never


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How often does a hurricane make landfall

(eye comes ashore) in New Jersey?

C) About once a century


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A hurricane is approaching NJ.What is your greatest concern?

A) River flooding

B) Storm surge

C) Damaging wind


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A Solution to Many a US Hurricane Concern!


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Conditions Necessary for

Mid-latitude Low Formation

– Convergence of warm and cold air

– Unstable atmosphere….top to bottom


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The big picture: a NJ squeeze play


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Cyclogenesis


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A mature mid-latitude cyclone


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Typical winter mid-latitude cyclone paths


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The Blizzard of 1888

Derailment at Whitehall


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Nor'easter of 1889, Long Branch


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Asbury Park: 1890s


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1944 Hurricane

Atlantic City

Harvey Cedars

Asbury Park


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Great Appalachian Storm: November 1950

Bloomfield

Keansburg


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Nor'easter: March 1962

Harvey Cedars


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Nor'easter:March 1962

Ocean City

LBIWildwood


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Nor'easter: December 1992

Brant Beach

Long Branch


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Hurricane Floyd: September 16, 1999


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Floyd


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"Stealth Nor’easter": February 11-12, 2006


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Nor'easterApril 15-16, 2007

Bound Brook

Manville


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potential flooding and damage to property given a hurricane's estimated intensity:

Hurricane tracks for the year prior,during and after an El Nino


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Storms of all types have become worse in NJover the past decade or two.

A) True

B) False

C) The jury is out


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Storms of all types have become worse in NJover the past decade or two.

C) The jury is out


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NJ Weather & Climate Networkht

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Temperature Precipitation


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Wind speed & direction Wind gusts


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Daily observations by

trained volunteers of all ages


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CoCoRaHS and New CoCoRaHS and New JerseyJersey

““Because every drop counts”Because every drop counts”

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Would you be interested in being aNJ CoCoRaHS observer?

A) Yes

B) No


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If yes, please contact me at:

[email protected]

or simply Google: nj climate(find us, click on “contact us” and

send a note)

or sign the pad (name, town, email address)


David A. Robinson

Fostering an appreciation for coastal storms impacting the Garden State

Thanks!

Dave [email protected]://climate.rutgers.edu

Documents

Pulse of the Planet Series Dr. David A. Robinson Chair, Department of Geography & New Jersey State Climatologist Rutgers University September 22, 2007