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，迅速增强的沿海风暴沿着中大西洋各州发展。 这些热带气旋产生强风、大雪、冰和沿海风暴潮，并伴随着强烈的海滩侵蚀，造成严重的财产损失，并经常导致东海岸沿着人员伤亡。 以往的研究提高了对东海岸冬季风暴的认识，但也提出了几个重要的问题上的作用，地面过程相关的墨西哥湾流和他们的涡对这些stormes.The主要研究的目的是调查的影响墨西哥湾流及其暖芯涡东海岸冬季风暴。 通过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，以及高层和地面强迫之间的相互作用，将有助于加深对东海岸冬季气旋发生和发展过程中地面过程的理解。 更好地了解这些过程与墨西哥湾流曲流和暖芯涡将提供一个额外的工具，预报员和帮助减轻灾害与这些风暴在东部走廊从南卡罗来纳州到马萨诸塞州和该地区的人口中心。这项研究将涉及研究经验和学习机会，研究生和本科生在NCSU和研究结果将在本科和研究生班讨论。 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的国家气候办公室，公共服务/推广中心。 调查结果将传送给公众和非技术受众，也将提供给联邦、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.