Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Atmospheric and Earth Science
Committee Chair
Xiaomin Chen
Committee Member
Lawrence Carey
Committee Member
Kevin Knupp
Research Advisor
Xiaomin Chen
Subject(s)
Hurricanes, Winds--Speed--Measurement, Thermal boundary layer, Hurricane Ida (2021), Hurricane Zeta (2020), Hurricane Laura (2020)
Abstract
Accurately estimating near-surface winds during hurricane landfalls is crucial for enhancing situational awareness and facilitating post-storm recovery efforts. Previous studies have used coastal radar Velocity Azimuth Display (VAD) winds to estimate 10-m winds during hurricane landfalls; however, a notable weak bias was observed. This work demonstrates that the significant weak bias results from neglecting the wind structure within a shallow internal boundary layer (IBL). Results from an operational radar VAD analysis during the landfalls of Hurricanes Ida (2021) and Zeta (2020) indicate that leveraging the IBL winds is essential for accurate 10-m wind estimates during hurricane landfalls. Additionally, a theoretical model was developed to diagnose the depth of the logarithmic layer within the IBL. Finally, mobile research radar VAD observations during Hurricane Laura (2020) are incorporated to leverage low-level IBL winds for a high-wind landfall case. These results aim to provide valuable guidance for creating future probabilistic near-surface wind products.
Recommended Citation
Leffler, Zebulon W., "Observations of internal boundary layers and near-surface wind estimation during the landfalls of Hurricanes Ida (2021), Zeta (2020), and Laura (2020)" (2026). Theses. 818.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/818