A Summary of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany Collaborative Science, Technology and Applied Research (CSTAR) Program's Efforts Toward Improving the Prediction of the Timing and Intensity of Heavy Precipitation Associated with Landfalling Tropical Cyclones, as Modulated by the Complex Terrain and Physiography of the Northeastern United States

The State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, partnering with several National Weather Service field offices in the Northeast, conducted research over a six year period from 2001 to 2007 focused on Improving the Prediction of the Timing and Intensity of Heavy Precipitation Associated with Landfalling Tropical Cyclones (LFTC), as Modulated by the Complex Terrain and Physiography of the Northeastern United States.   The focus for the first three year period was on the distribution of precipitation over the Northeast and the synoptic scale mechanisms fostering the various distributions.  During the next three year period, attention turned toward an examination of mesoscale mechanisms and structures that aided in the production of organized heavy rainfall.  In addition, a second study was conducted to examine predecessor rainfall events (PRE) which often occurred well in advance of the tropical cyclone rain shield.

This presentation will summarize the results from this research and will utilize Tropical Cyclone Irene’s passage in August 2011 as an illustration of the classic behavior of transitioning LTFCs in the Northeast United States.