My Course of Study: Independent Atmospheric Research with a Focus on Hurricanes
Rather than pursuing a traditional academic degree, I am undertaking a structured, independent course of study focused on atmospheric behavior, with particular attention to hurricanes, rapid intensification, and storm evolution. This approach allows me to combine formal meteorological education, applied data analysis, and original research in a way that supports long-term, focused investigation.
This is not an informal or casual path. It is a deliberate program designed to mirror the essential components of a strong applied degree: foundational knowledge, technical skill, and documented research output.
Core Focus
The central goal of my studies is to better understand how and when hurricanes intensify, stall, or shift unexpectedly. My work emphasizes historical pattern analysis, timing correlations, and comparative case studies across multiple storm seasons. The intent is not to replace existing forecasting systems, but to study recurring conditions that tend to appear before high-impact storm behavior.
Formal Coursework
My program includes structured coursework in meteorology and atmospheric science through accredited online programs and university-level courses. These provide a shared technical language, grounding in atmospheric processes, and familiarity with how storms are analyzed within the meteorological field.
This coursework is supplemented by focused study of tropical cyclones, storm structure, pressure systems, wind fields, and moisture dynamics, with attention to how these factors interact over time.
Data and Analytical Training
Because hurricanes are data-intensive systems, my studies also include applied training in data analysis. This allows me to evaluate historical storm data systematically, assess frequency and recurrence, and distinguish meaningful patterns from coincidence. Emphasis is placed on time-based analysis, comparison across cases, and clearly defining both successful indicators and failures.
The purpose of this training is not abstraction, but accountability. Patterns must be measurable, explainable, and testable.
Research Portfolio
The core output of this course of study is an ongoing research portfolio. Rather than exams or grades, progress is demonstrated through completed case studies and analytical papers. These projects document methods, data sources, findings, and limitations, allowing others to evaluate the work on its merits.
This portfolio approach reflects how applied research functions outside institutional settings: results are judged by clarity, rigor, and usefulness.
Scope and Limits
This work currently focuses on historical analysis and risk awareness. It does not issue official forecasts, warnings, or operational guidance. Findings are presented with clearly stated limits and are intended to complement established meteorological practices rather than replace them. Over time, the goal is to refine these methods so they may support future predictive applications, particularly in identifying conditions associated with heightened risk of storm intensification.
Why This Approach
Independent research has a long history in weather and storm study, particularly in areas where anomalies and edge cases matter. This structure allows for sustained inquiry, careful documentation, and the freedom to test questions that do not always fit neatly inside institutional frameworks.
The emphasis is simple: learn the science, document the work, and let the results speak.
