Research team discusses enhancing hurricane alerts and algae bloom predictions in South Florida

The City of Miami's Climate Resilience Committee convened on July 7, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding climate data, hurricane preparedness, and environmental monitoring. The meeting focused on the implications of reduced data availability from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and explored potential strategies to enhance local climate resilience.

The session began with a discussion on the importance of NOAA data, particularly in relation to hurricane alerts and environmental monitoring. Committee members expressed concern over the loss of this data and its impact on predictive modeling for events such as hurricanes and algae blooms. One member raised the possibility of using ground truth data to augment existing datasets, emphasizing the need for more granular predictions to prepare for environmental stressors.

The committee acknowledged that while there is no direct replacement for NOAA data, alternative modeling approaches could be utilized. One participant highlighted the use of Copernicus data from Europe as a fallback during previous data outages, demonstrating the committee's proactive approach to data management.

The conversation then shifted to the topic of algae blooms, with members discussing the potential for establishing thresholds based on historical data to predict and mitigate these events. The committee recognized the need for real-time alerts related to environmental conditions, particularly concerning air temperature and hurricane preparedness.

Further discussions included the use of sea level rise projection curves, with members noting the importance of aligning with the Southeast Florida Climate Compact's unified projections. The committee agreed to explore opportunities for data exchange and collaboration to enhance the robustness of local alerts and responses.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to leveraging available data and research to inform climate resilience strategies. Members expressed a desire to integrate findings into future resolutions and memorandums, ensuring that decisions are grounded in current scientific understanding. Follow-up actions were planned to facilitate collaboration with relevant teams and enhance the city's climate resilience efforts.