The latest research highlighting the benefit of real-time tropical cyclone data collection was showcased in February's Hazardous Webinar.
Held Tuesday 27 February, attendees heard from Dr Matthew Mason (University of Queensland and Natural Hazards Research Australia), Dr David Henderson (Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University) and end-user Francesca Kirby (Pricing Manager, Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation) about how real-time tropical cyclone data is collected and how this data is informing critical housing and insurance outcomes for people living in cyclone-prone areas.
Matthew, David and Francesca explained findings and their use from the Streamlining SWIRLnet data acquisition, analysis, storage and dissemination procedures project and answered plenty of audience questions.
Replay the webinar below or visit the event page to see the slides.
When cyclones are forecast to hit the Queensland coast, the Surface Weather Information Relay and Logging Network (SWIRLnet) swings into action. Comprised of six portable weather stations that are strategically positioned in advance of landfalling cyclones, the network captures research-grade wind data that provides an understanding of near-surface wind speeds during a cyclone, enabling observations of wind speed to be directly utilised in the assessment of building standards performance and for assisting in raising risk awareness for the community.
First deployed in 2014 and with a range of partnerships in the decade since, research from Natural Hazards Research Australia has automated and streamlined the collection and dissemination of data from the SWIRLnet portable weather stations. These advancements have led to a better way for end-users to receive and use the real-time data, and a more automated way to analyse the data.
SWIRLnet is a partnership between James Cook University and the University of Queensland. Learn more, including accessing the recent data from Cyclone Kirrily in Townsville, on the James Cook University website.
Register here for the March Hazardous Webinar, From research to practice: developing a child-centred approach to bushfire education, which will take place 11am AEDT Tuesday 26 March.