I also had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Sam Miller, who is the Department Chair of the Atmospheric Science & Chemistry Department and talk about Synoptic Meteorology and Tropical Meteorology. Miller introduced me to Tropical Meteorologist, Dr. Lourdes Aviles, professor at PSU, and author of “Taken by Storm 1938”, a Social and Meteorological History of the Great New England Hurricane”. We talked a bit about her book, and the recent hurricane, Maria, that hit Puerto Rico. Dr. Aviles is originally from Puerto Rico, and has some friends who still live there. We shared some stories about the aftermath of dealing with a hurricane, and about the aftermath being the most difficult part. I can relate to her stories as a Floridian, and someone who has family in Florida who recently went without power for a week following the aftermath of Irma. Aviles talks about the challenges of clean-up, rebuilding, dealing with limited supplies, and high emotions taking a toll on everyone. She also told me about some internship possibilities within Tropical Meteorology in Boulder, CO, through the National Science Foundation, and about a project one of her students is currently working on, comparing past hurricane seasons against each other.

According to Dr. Aviles, “PSU does not track hurricanes, that is left up to the National Hurricane Center, PSU does monitor them, and follows the published information from official sources.” Dr. Aviles explains that it would be inappropriate and irresponsible to have others establishing hurricane track predictions to conflict with the National Hurricane Center. They are the established and reliable source for public information.