How Hurricanes Can Affect Time After Landing

After a hurricane has touched down and crossed a community, it can affect the weather in the following weeks and months, said the LSU Assistant Professor of Ocean Science and Coastal Sciences, based on new research that he has conducted as a result of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Here are some reasons why and how:

1. Moisture can decrease without leaves, which retain moisture.
2. Without the leaves and trees to "sweat", which cools the surface, the air temperature can increase.
3. Without tree foliage and vegetation to disperse heavy rain, communities may be more exposed to flash floods in the days or weeks after a hurricane.
4. In addition, high flows in rivers and streams result in the formation of large plumes of sediments in the ocean that make the water muddy and can affect shrimpers, fishers and the seafood sector.

Miller's areas of expertise include coastal meteorology, hydroclimatology, lightly forced storms, earth-atmosphere interactions, and hazardous weather impacts. He is available for media interviews on request.