Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model

[2] The model will eventually run at an even higher resolution which will allow smaller scale features to become more discernible.

The HWRF vortex initialization uses the 6 hour forecast as the first guess, then uses regional GSI 3DAR data assimilation to produce the initial hurricane vortex that matches the intensity and structure parameters provided operationally by NHC.

The HWRF is coupled to a high-resolution version of the Princeton Ocean Model for the Atlantic Basin.

Mary Glackin, acting director of NOAA's National Weather Service, says that "It is vital that we understand all the factors of hurricane forecasting throughout the life of a storm and HWRF will provide an unprecedented level of detail.

Over the next several years, this model promises to improve forecasts for tropical cyclone intensity, wave and storm surge, and hurricane-related inland flooding."