An Investigation of the Role of the Gulf Stream and Its Warm Core Eddies on East Coast Winter Storms

在秋季、冬季和春季的几个月里，大西洋中部各州沿海风暴迅速加剧。这些温带气旋产生强风、大雪、冰和海岸风暴潮，并造成强烈的海滩侵蚀，对东部沿海地区造成严重的财产损失和生命损失。先前的研究提高了对东海岸冬季风暴的理解，但也提出了几个重要的问题，即与墨西哥湾流及其涡流有关的地表过程在这些风暴的起源中的作用。本研究的主要目的是探讨墨西哥湾流及其暖核涡流对东海岸冬季风暴的影响。这将通过(1)研究墨西哥湾流的位置和形状等因素对冬季东海岸风暴发展的相对作用，以及(2)研究高层和地面强迫之间的相互作用来实现。这一研究结果将提高对参与东海岸冬季气旋发生或再发展的地表过程的认识。更好地了解这些与墨西哥湾流蜿蜒和暖核涡流有关的过程，将为预报员提供额外的工具，并有助于减轻从南卡罗来纳州到马萨诸塞州的东部走廊以及该地区人口中心与这些风暴相关的灾害。本研究将涉及北卡州立大学研究生和本科生的研究经验和学习机会，研究结果将在本科和研究生课堂上讨论。首席研究员是北卡罗来纳州的国家气候学家，并指导北卡罗来纳州气候办公室，一个公共服务/推广中心。调查结果将分发给公众和非技术人员，也将供联邦、州和地方机构用于减灾和应急准备活动。

Rapidly intensifying coastal storms develop along the Mid-Atlantic States during fall, winter and spring months. These extratropical cyclones produce gale force winds, heavy snow, ice, and coastal storm surges with intense beach erosion and are responsible for severe property damage and often loss of lives along the eastern seaboard. Previous studies have improved understanding of the east coast winter storms, but have also raised several important questions on the role of the surface processes related to the Gulf Stream and their eddies on the genesis of these storms.The main objective of this research is to investigate the influence of the Gulf Stream and its warm core eddies on east coast winter storms. This will be achieved (1) by investigating the relative roles of factors such as position and shape of the Gulf Stream on the development of wintertime east coast storms, and (2) by studying the interaction between the upper level and surface forcing.Results from this research will improve the understanding of the surface processes involved in the genesis or redevelopment of east coast winter cyclones. A better understanding of theses processes in relation to the Gulf Stream meander and warm core eddy will provide an additional tool to forecasters and help in the mitigation of disasters associated with these storms in the eastern corridor from South Carolina to Massachusetts and the population centers of this region. This study will involve research experience and learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students at NCSU and the research findings will be discussed in undergraduate and graduate classes. The Principal Investigator is the State Climatologist for North Carolina and directs the State Climate Office of North Carolina, a Public Service / Extension center. The findings will be transmitted to the public and non -technical audience, and will also be available for use by federal, state and local agencies for disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness activities.