Keynote Speaker: Bill Read, Director of the National Hurricane Center

Abstract

Bill Read discussed the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project with its 10 year goals of improving weatehr prediction model forecasts and guidance. They have done well with track recently, but looking at rapid changes in intensity. Hurricane Irene was a success, but not perfect. With Irene everything was in slow motion. They want to improve track error by 50% and it is much better now than in the past.He said there is no "justa" tropical storm. The time and endurance of the wind on an object make a big difference.We need to understand that people are in denial of bad things happening to us. It is a natural human response, but we need to learn to be proactive. Hurricane season has started early.