Hurricanes on the U.S. Gulf Coast

In studying tropical storm data from 1850 to 2005, patterns can be seen in hurricane movements and an increase can be seen in storm activity. Some portions of the Gulf of Mexico’s coastal region appear to be more prone to hurricanes, such as New Orleans and its surrounding communities. In 2005, tropical storm activity surpassed the previous worst year on record, 1933.

Only in the past 25 years has the collected and complete data been useful for detailed analysis. Before the 1940s and radar technology, storm data collection was dependent on human spotters and reports. In the 1980s, the development of complex radars and satellites allowed for better storm and hurricane tracking results. The use of GIS technology helps plot hurricane and storm data so that a timeline can be made to see if any noticeable patterns can be identified.

Courtesy of Cara Cooke.