Category Archives: Sea Level Rise

New NOAA Sea Level Rise Estimate for St Petersburg, Florida 

A new Sea Level Rise report from NOAA has been issued to project seal level rise and coastal flood hazards for the United States out to 2150 for 5 sea level scenarios: low, intermediate-low, intermediate, intermediate-high and high. Continue reading

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Sea Level Rise Projections – Reality or Hype?

In recent years there has been much press regarding global warming (climate change) and how this will affect sea level rise, including claims that the oceans could rise up to 10 feet or more by 2100.  Continue reading

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Does global climate change have an influence on tropical cyclone activity?

Does global climate change have an influence on tropical cyclone activity and can these influences be detected?  This question is important given the high risk to populations along coastal regions. This question was tackled in a recent assessment published in The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Continue reading

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Tampa Bay Hurricane Storm Surge Scenarios

While no storm scenario is a good one for the Tampa Bay area, the worst case is when the hurricane center is located north of the Tampa Bay entrance such that the maximum winds associated with the eye wall occur at the mouth of the bay with storms making landfall farther north result in lower surges. Continue reading

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What is a Storm Surge?

Storm Surge is the abnormal sea level elevations (or depressions) caused by winds and atmospheric pressure. The components are: 1. Coastal set up (down) by the along shore wind stress.  In deep water, the Earth’s rotation causes a water to … Continue reading

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Hurricane Storm Surges in Tampa Bay

The highest storm surges in Tampa Bay are usually associated with hurricanes, with the three highest tides occurring during Cat 3 storms in 1848, 1921 and 1985. Hurricane Elena in late August of 1985 caused the highest storm surge recorded … Continue reading

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