MOVE USA JUN 2026 Tech Talk - Hurricane Formation and Lifecycle

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The Science Behind Hurricane Formation and Lifecycle

Around the world, hurricanes reshape coastlines, disrupt lives, and threaten communities. In this talk Quinton Lawton, ASP Postdoctoral Fellow II, will discuss the basic science behind the formation, growth, and lifecycle of these powerful storms. A major focus of the talk will be the groundbreaking research currently being done to better predict hurricane formation.  Long before these storms make landfall, they often begin as smaller weather disturbances known as African easterly waves. Understanding how these atmospheric precursors form and grow is critical for predicting extreme weather and mitigating its impacts. We will also explore recent advances in meteorological prediction, including new advancements in Artificial Intelligence-driven forecast systems. 

 

The presentation will conclude with a look at the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. We will discuss how global patterns like El Niño influence the behavior of African easterly waves and hurricanes from year to year. Understanding this connection provides a clearer outlook for what the tropics might have in store over the coming months.


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  • Co-sponsored by IEEE-USA MOVE Program
  • Starts 12 June 2026 04:00 AM UTC
  • Ends 17 June 2026 01:00 AM UTC
  • No Admission Charge

  Speakers

Quinton Lawton, Ph.D. of NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR)

Biography:

 

Dr. Quinton Lawton is an ASP Postdoctoral Fellow at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), where he studies atmospheric waves and tropical cyclones. In August 2026, he will start as an tenure-track Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University.


His passion for atmospheric science began in his hometown of Houston, TX, where he witnessed the impacts of hurricanes on his local community firsthand. He earned his B.S. in Meteorology from Texas A&M University in 2019, and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Miami in 2024 under the guidance of Dr. Sharan Majumdar. His doctoral work focused on the interactions between tropical atmospheric waves and their role in tropical cyclone formation, revealing new opportunities and challenges in tropical weather prediction.

 

Through collaborations with institutions such as NASA, NOAA, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Dr. Lawton has worked to translate key research findings and tools into operational systems to better serve the public. He is also deeply committed to science outreach, supporting mentorship, K–12 talks, and educational programs that make science more accessible to students and broader communities.