1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,740 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters, 2 00:00:01,740 --> 00:00:04,200 where we explore the fascinating world of weather 3 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:06,320 and its impact on our lives. 4 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,520 Today we're diving into a topic that might just surprise you. 5 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,760 The power of wind and how sometimes 6 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:14,440 it's not the massive hurricanes 7 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,720 that cause the most damage to buildings, 8 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:18,240 but something else entirely. 9 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,840 You're right, it's not always the big headline 10 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,360 grabbing storms that pack the biggest punch. 11 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,400 Sometimes those fast moving lines of thunderstorms 12 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,240 can cause more damage to skyscrapers than a hurricane. 13 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,240 Exactly, and we've got a real head scratcher 14 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:34,040 of a case study to unpack today. 15 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:34,880 Oh, okay. 16 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:35,760 Houston 2024. 17 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:36,720 Right. 18 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,920 We had a directo, which is a widespread windstorm 19 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:41,600 ripped through the city in May. 20 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:42,440 Mm-hmm. 21 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,080 Then just a few weeks later, 22 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,200 hurricane barrel made landfall. 23 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:47,040 Okay. 24 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:47,880 The crazy thing is both events 25 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:50,200 had similar peak wind gusts, 26 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,480 but the damage they caused was dramatically different. 27 00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:53,840 It is a real puzzle, isn't it? 28 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:54,680 Right. 29 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:56,040 And it shows that wind speed alone 30 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,240 doesn't tell the whole story. 31 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:58,080 Yeah. 32 00:00:58,080 --> 00:00:59,400 And it doesn't consider other factors, 33 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:01,680 like duration direction and how those winds 34 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:03,760 interact with the buildings themselves. 35 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:05,800 Okay, so let's pay the picture for our listeners. 36 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:06,640 Right. 37 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:08,920 It's May 2024 in Houston, 38 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:10,760 and this directo rolls through. 39 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:11,600 Okay. 40 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,160 It's like a line of intense thunderstorms 41 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,520 packing some serious straight line winds. 42 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:17,360 Right. 43 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,520 Then in July, hurricane barrel comes along. 44 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,600 Both events had peak wind gusts in the same ballpark. 45 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:24,440 Okay. 46 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:25,480 But here's where it gets interesting. 47 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,240 The damage tells a very different story. 48 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:29,400 Okay, so what do we have? 49 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:30,840 Well, if we zoom out a bit. 50 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:31,680 Okay. 51 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,240 We have to remember that the impact of wind on a building 52 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,160 isn't just about how strong the wind is, 53 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,560 but how long that force is applied 54 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:40,440 and the angle at which it hits. 55 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:41,280 Right. 56 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,960 Think about pushing on a tall object. 57 00:01:43,960 --> 00:01:46,600 A steady sustained push is different 58 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:48,840 from a series of rapid jabs, right? 59 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:49,840 That's a great analogy. 60 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:51,280 Okay, let's start and see where you're going with this. 61 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:53,640 Let's look at some real world examples to illustrate this. 62 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:54,600 Okay. 63 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,800 One that stands out is the Chevron Building Auditorium. 64 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:58,640 Not right. 65 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:01,480 This skyscraper took a beating during the direct go. 66 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,840 We're talking dislodged facade panels, shattered windows, 67 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:06,280 the whole nine yards. 68 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:09,200 But when hurricane barrel hit barely a scratch. 69 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:10,240 That's so interesting. 70 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,080 Now, why the difference? 71 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:13,480 Well, the Chevron Building Auditorium 72 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,720 is located right across from another tall building. 73 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:16,600 Okay. 74 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:19,240 And this is where the concept of wind channeling 75 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:20,640 comes into play. 76 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:21,480 Ah, I see. 77 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,240 Think of it like those narrow city canyons 78 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,000 where you feel the wind whipping through. 79 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:25,840 Yeah. 80 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:26,840 When buildings are close together, 81 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,160 they can create these wind tunnels. 82 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:29,980 Right. 83 00:02:29,980 --> 00:02:32,200 That intensify wind speeds and pressure 84 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:33,920 in very localized areas. 85 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:35,000 Fascinating. 86 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,160 Ah, so it's not just the wind itself. 87 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:38,000 Yeah. 88 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,200 But how the surrounding buildings shape 89 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:41,720 and amplify its force. 90 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:42,560 Exactly. 91 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:43,400 That makes sense. 92 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:44,240 Yep. 93 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:45,080 And we see a similar pattern 94 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,120 with the center point energy plaza. 95 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:47,960 Okay. 96 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,120 The direct go caused concentrated damage 97 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,120 at a specific corner of the building. 98 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:53,560 It's likely due to channeling effects 99 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,560 amplified by those nearby structures. 100 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:56,400 Yeah. 101 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:57,520 Hurricane barrel, on the other hand, 102 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:59,280 caused minimal damage. 103 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:00,840 So we're noticing a trend here. 104 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:01,680 Yeah. 105 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,080 Localized damage from the direct go, 106 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,480 particularly in areas where wind channeling 107 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:07,560 seems to be a factor. 108 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:08,400 Exactly. 109 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:10,240 And this really emphasizes how those 110 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,560 sudden bursts of wind from a direct go 111 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,400 can exert intense pressure on specific parts 112 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,800 of a building leading to that concentrated damage. 113 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:18,640 Yeah. 114 00:03:18,640 --> 00:03:20,640 It's different from the more sustained 115 00:03:20,640 --> 00:03:22,960 widespread of wind load of a hurricane. 116 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,280 All right, let's move on to the El Paso Energy Building. 117 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:26,120 Okay. 118 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:27,560 And I bet you can guess what happened. 119 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:28,400 Let me guess. 120 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,800 The side facing another tall building, boom. 121 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:33,920 Most of the damage happened during the direct go. 122 00:03:33,920 --> 00:03:35,200 Wow. 123 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,400 Hurricane barrel, minimal impact. 124 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,760 It's like a textbook example of how a building's location 125 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:42,840 and orientation relative to its neighbors 126 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,080 and the wind direction can drastically influence 127 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:47,520 how it weathers a wind event. 128 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:48,720 You know, it's kind of mind boggling 129 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:49,880 that these buildings are designed 130 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,560 to withstand wind speeds up to 67 meters per second. 131 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:54,400 Yeah. 132 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:55,480 You'd think they'd be able to handle anything, 133 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:56,720 but then the direct go comes along 134 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,840 and it shows us that there's more to the story. 135 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,520 Right, it challenges our assumptions 136 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:01,800 about building resilience. 137 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:02,640 Yeah. 138 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,840 And it underscores the importance of not just designing 139 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:06,920 for peak wind speed, but truly understanding 140 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,720 the unique characteristics of different wind events. 141 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,560 It's a good reminder that Mother Nature 142 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,680 always has a few surprises up her sleeve. 143 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:14,520 She does. 144 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,240 In fact, after the direct go, 145 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,280 they did an assessment of 18 downtown buildings 146 00:04:19,280 --> 00:04:23,040 and found something like 3,250 broken windows. 147 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:24,480 Wow. 148 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:25,640 That's a lot of glass. 149 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:27,520 That's a staggering number. 150 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:29,680 And it really highlights the potential 151 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,040 for economic disruption and safety concerns 152 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:33,280 when these events hit. 153 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:34,920 Okay, so we've seen the damage, 154 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:36,880 but let's dig into the why. 155 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:37,720 All right. 156 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:39,040 What makes the damage from the direct go 157 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,000 so different from the hurricane? 158 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:42,800 Well, we've talked about wind channeling. 159 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:43,640 Yeah. 160 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:45,160 But there are other factors at play here. 161 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:47,200 For starters, let's think about the nature 162 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:48,520 of the wind itself. 163 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:49,200 Okay. 164 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,360 The hurricanes have those sustained winds 165 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,400 that push on a building fairly consistently. 166 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:55,960 Direct shows, on the other hand, 167 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:59,320 are marked by these sudden powerful bursts of wind 168 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:00,640 called downbursts. 169 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:01,480 Downbursts. 170 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:02,320 Yeah. 171 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:03,160 Fill us in on those. 172 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:04,760 Imagine a giant bucket of water 173 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:06,480 suddenly dumped from the sky. 174 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:07,320 Okay. 175 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:08,560 That's kind of what a downburst is like. 176 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:09,400 All right. 177 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:10,960 It's a column of air rapidly descending 178 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:12,840 from a thunderstorm, hitting the ground 179 00:05:12,840 --> 00:05:14,440 and spreading out like a fan. 180 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:15,280 Okay. 181 00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:17,160 They cause these sudden changes in wind speed 182 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:18,840 and direction near the ground, 183 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,520 which can put immense localized pressure 184 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,120 on building facades. 185 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:25,760 So it's like a sudden concentrated blast of wind. 186 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:26,600 Exactly. 187 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,280 No wonder it causes so much damage. 188 00:05:28,280 --> 00:05:30,400 And those rapid shifts in wind pressure 189 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,480 can be particularly damaging, 190 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,960 especially to structures that aren't designed 191 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,160 to handle that kind of localized force. 192 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:39,960 So we've got the wind channeling 193 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:41,520 the sudden force of downbursts. 194 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:42,360 Right. 195 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,440 What else is contributing to this damaged disparity? 196 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:46,920 Well, the design and construction 197 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,320 of the buildings themselves play a crucial role. 198 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:50,160 Okay. 199 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:52,440 The materials use the quality of construction, 200 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:53,880 even routine maintenance. 201 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,320 All of these factors impact 202 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:57,640 how well a building stands up to wind. 203 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,720 Whether it's a hurricane or a directo. 204 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:00,720 Interesting. 205 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,880 A well-designed and well-maintained building 206 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:03,960 will fare much better 207 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,360 no matter what mother nature throws at it. 208 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,400 So it's a combination of the wind of end itself 209 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,800 and how the building is designed and built to resist it. 210 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:12,640 Exactly. 211 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:13,480 Fascinating. 212 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:14,320 Yeah. 213 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,400 Now I understand there's a way to actually study 214 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:18,920 how wind interacts with structures. 215 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:20,520 Something called wind tunnel testing. 216 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:21,360 You got it. 217 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:22,200 Okay. 218 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,000 Wind tunnels are incredible facilities 219 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,160 where researchers can create scaled down models of buildings 220 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,880 and subject them to different wind conditions. 221 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:30,720 Wow. 222 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,400 They can then measure the pressures and forces 223 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,040 on the model to see how it would respond 224 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:37,960 in a real world scenario. 225 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:38,800 That's so cool. 226 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:40,360 It's like a mini hurricane simulator, right? 227 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:41,200 Exactly. 228 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:43,560 And there was a really interesting study done recently. 229 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:44,400 Oh, wow. 230 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,120 The Wall of Wind Experimental Facility 231 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,240 at Florida International University. 232 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:50,080 Okay. 233 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,520 They simulated both the kinds of winds you'd see out 234 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:54,640 in the open ocean during a hurricane 235 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:57,760 and those intense downburst winds from a directo. 236 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:59,440 And they tested a model of a tall building 237 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:00,480 under both conditions. 238 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:01,320 They did. 239 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:02,720 And they also looked at how the presence 240 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,480 of nearby buildings impacted the results, 241 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,320 which is key to understanding those wind channeling effects 242 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:09,280 we've been talking about. 243 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:10,120 What do they find? 244 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,280 What they found was that the downward simulations 245 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,920 created much higher negative pressures or suction 246 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:16,640 on the sides of the building compared 247 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:18,080 to the hurricane-like winds. 248 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:18,920 Oh, wow. 249 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:20,640 This lines up perfectly with what we saw 250 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,400 in Houston after the directo. 251 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,560 So the wind tunnel basically confirmed 252 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:26,920 that those sudden powerful downbursts 253 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,040 can exert incredible suction on buildings. 254 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:30,880 Precise. 255 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:32,880 Potentially ripping facades right off. 256 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:35,360 And they also discovered that having another building 257 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,360 upstream basically in front of the test model 258 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,040 relative to the wind direction, 259 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,040 significantly increased the suction on the test model's 260 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:44,880 windward wall. 261 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:47,520 Again, this really highlights the importance of wind channeling 262 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:49,560 in those dense, urban environments. 263 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,120 So these wind tunnel tests are giving us real insights 264 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,400 into how wind behaves around tall buildings, 265 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,560 especially in those crowded downtown areas. 266 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,320 And it helps explain why those localized wind events, 267 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:02,520 like directoes, can be so destructive, 268 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:05,640 even when the wind speeds aren't as high as we might expect. 269 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:07,920 This is all incredibly insightful. 270 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,760 It really makes you think differently 271 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,120 about how we design and build in the face of increasingly 272 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:14,360 unpredictable weather. 273 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,040 It certainly does. 274 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,120 This case study in Houston is a stark reminder 275 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:22,240 that we need to rethink our approach to building design, 276 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:23,680 especially in urban areas. 277 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:24,560 Absolutely. 278 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,160 We'll be right back after a quick message from our sponsor. 279 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:28,320 All right, sounds good. 280 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:31,400 Don't forget to follow meteorologist Rob Jones on Instagram. 281 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,520 His handle is just meteorologist. 282 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:34,000 OK. 283 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,200 On TikTok at TV Meteorologist. 284 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:36,840 Got it. 285 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,600 And on YouTube, follow Rob Jones' Hurricane, 286 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:41,960 where you can also find the Meteorology Matters podcast 287 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:42,720 playlist. 288 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:43,440 Awesome. 289 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:44,320 See you in just a bit. 290 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:45,800 Sounds good. 291 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,320 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 292 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:49,800 Before we took a quick pause, we are 293 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,000 discussing how a directo in Houston 294 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,120 caused surprisingly more damage than a hurricane, 295 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:57,520 even though they had similar peak wind speeds. 296 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,320 And we were starting to unravel why 297 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:02,880 those wind channeling effects and powerful downbursts really 298 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:04,040 seem to make a difference. 299 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:05,840 Now let's shift gears a bit and think 300 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,640 about what all of this means for you, the listener, 301 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:10,960 and for cities in general. 302 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,960 Yeah, I think most people just assume 303 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:14,760 that if a building can withstand a hurricane, 304 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:16,280 it's good to go no matter what. 305 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:17,760 That's a pretty common assumption, 306 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,040 but this Houston case really throws a wrench 307 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:21,320 in that thinking. 308 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,560 It forces us to reconsider how we approach building design, 309 00:09:24,560 --> 00:09:27,720 especially in densely populated urban areas. 310 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,240 So are we saying that we need to start designing buildings 311 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,040 specifically for directos? 312 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:33,760 It's not necessarily about designing 313 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,520 for one specific type of storm, but about designing 314 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,360 for overall resilience. 315 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,080 We need to broaden our perspective 316 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:42,360 and consider a wider range of wind conditions, 317 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,840 including those sudden localized gusts that 318 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,640 can be even more destructive than sustained winds. 319 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,520 OK, so we need to be thinking about those extreme short 320 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,440 duration wind events, even if they don't happen as often 321 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:54,360 as hurricanes. 322 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:55,480 Exactly. 323 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,080 And we have to factor in the urban environment. 324 00:09:58,080 --> 00:09:59,920 How will wind flow around buildings? 325 00:09:59,920 --> 00:10:02,520 Where are those wind channeling hotspots going to be? 326 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:03,880 It seems like wind tunnel testing 327 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:06,200 would be super valuable for figuring all of that out. 328 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:07,280 Absolutely. 329 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,720 Wind tunnel testing allows us to visualize how wind interacts 330 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,440 with buildings and pinpoint those vulnerable areas that 331 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,840 might be susceptible to concentrated pressures 332 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,000 from downbursts or channeling effects. 333 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,280 So it's not just about making buildings stronger 334 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,000 across the board, but about understanding 335 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:26,160 those specific pressure points and designing accordingly. 336 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,600 And it's about selecting materials and construction 337 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,240 techniques that can handle those forces. 338 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,640 What about buildings that are already standing? 339 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:35,960 Are there things we can do to retrofit them, 340 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,600 to better withstand these localized wind events? 341 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:39,840 That's a great question. 342 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,000 And it's something that's becoming more and more relevant 343 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,040 as we realize just how impactful these events can be. 344 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,600 Retrofitting could involve a range of strategies, 345 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:50,080 from strengthening connections and anchors, 346 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,120 to adding wind deflectors, or even redesigning 347 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:54,560 certain parts of the facade. 348 00:10:54,560 --> 00:10:56,480 So we're not just talking about new construction, 349 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,440 but also about reassessing and potentially upgrading 350 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:00,880 existing structures. 351 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:02,440 That's a huge undertaking. 352 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:03,040 It is. 353 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,920 But it's necessary if we want to make our cities more resilient. 354 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:09,320 We need to adopt a more holistic view of wind resilience, one 355 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,680 that considers the entire lifespan of a building 356 00:11:11,680 --> 00:11:14,040 and the reality of a change in climate. 357 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,760 So to recap, it's not just about wind speed. 358 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:18,960 It's about understanding the nuances of different wind 359 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:22,480 events and how they interact with the built environment. 360 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,120 It's about designing for resilience, 361 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,360 not just for a specific storm. 362 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,080 And it's about considering the long-term implications 363 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,400 for both new and existing buildings. 364 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:33,280 Did I get all of that? 365 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:34,040 You nailed it. 366 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,480 It's a real paradigm shift in how we think about wind 367 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:37,520 in buildings. 368 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:39,880 And the Houston case serves as a potent reminder 369 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:41,520 that this is an issue we can no longer 370 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:42,960 afford to sweep under the rug. 371 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:44,320 This is some heavy stuff. 372 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:45,880 It makes you realize how much we still 373 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,720 need to learn about wind, its impact on buildings. 374 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:49,720 There's always more to learn. 375 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,720 And that's what makes science so fascinating. 376 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:53,520 It's a constant process of discovery. 377 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,320 And as we gather more data and refine our understanding, 378 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,520 we can create safer, more resilient structures 379 00:11:58,520 --> 00:11:59,560 for the future. 380 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:00,680 That's a great way to look at it. 381 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:02,640 It's not about being overwhelmed by the challenges, 382 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,800 but about embracing the opportunity to learn and innovate. 383 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,320 So speaking of the future, what are some of the key research 384 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:12,960 areas that you think will be most important in advancing 385 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:14,640 our understanding of wind and building? 386 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,400 There are a few really promising avenues of research 387 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,240 that I'm particularly excited about. 388 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,960 One is the continued development of advanced wind tunnel 389 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:23,480 testing techniques. 390 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,720 We're now able to simulate increasingly complex wind 391 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,120 conditions like downbursts and tornadoes 392 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:30,760 with greater accuracy. 393 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:33,000 This gives us a much clearer picture 394 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,000 of how those extreme winds interact with structures 395 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,000 and the kinds of damage they can inflict. 396 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,760 So those simulators are becoming more and more realistic, 397 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,640 which means better data to work with. 398 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:43,880 Exactly. 399 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:47,040 Another exciting area is the use of computational fluid 400 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,600 dynamics, or CFD for short. 401 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,800 This is a powerful tool that allows us to model wind flow 402 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,160 around buildings in incredible detail. 403 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:56,880 It's like running virtual simulations 404 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:58,960 to see how different building designs, materials, 405 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,680 and configurations perform under various wind loads. 406 00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:03,200 So it's like a virtual wind tunnel, 407 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:04,960 but even more detailed and versatile. 408 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:05,960 That's amazing. 409 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:07,000 It really is. 410 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,560 And it lets us test a much broader range of scenarios 411 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:12,360 and design options than we could with a physical wind tunnel. 412 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:13,960 It sounds like the future of building design 413 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:15,720 is going to be incredibly high-tech. 414 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:17,200 It most definitely is. 415 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:21,000 And then there's the growing field of field measurements. 416 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,160 This involves using sensors and instruments 417 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:25,480 to collect data on actual wind events 418 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:27,800 as they unfold in real time. 419 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:30,400 This real-world data is invaluable because it 420 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,080 allows us to validate our models and improve 421 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,720 our understanding of how wind behaves 422 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:35,960 in different environments. 423 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,520 So we're not just relying on simulations and models. 424 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:40,680 We're going out and gathering real-world data 425 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:42,000 to confirm those findings. 426 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:42,680 That's right. 427 00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:44,560 It's a multi-pronged approach. 428 00:13:44,560 --> 00:13:46,720 And the convergence of these different research areas 429 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,200 is giving us incredible insights into wind 430 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,160 and its impact on the built environment. 431 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,240 It's remarkable to see how this field is evolving. 432 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,680 It feels like we're on the cusp of some major breakthroughs 433 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:58,640 in how we design and build for wind resilience. 434 00:13:58,640 --> 00:13:59,440 I agree. 435 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:01,440 And the Houston case is a powerful reminder 436 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:03,680 that this research isn't just theoretical. 437 00:14:03,680 --> 00:14:06,520 It has very real implications for safety economics 438 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:08,800 and the long-term sustainability of our cities. 439 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:09,880 It's a lot to think about. 440 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,320 And it definitely highlights the need 441 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:14,600 for ongoing research and innovation in this field. 442 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:16,200 We'll be back after a short break 443 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:18,160 to explore some of the exciting ways 444 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:20,280 that architects and engineers are putting this knowledge 445 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:21,160 into practice. 446 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:22,720 Stay with us. 447 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:24,880 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 448 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:27,360 We've been talking about the surprising power of wind 449 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:30,000 and how events like direct goes can challenge our assumptions 450 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,640 about building resilience. 451 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:34,880 But now let's shift gears and talk about solutions. 452 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:37,640 How are architects and engineers using this knowledge 453 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,520 to create buildings that can truly stand up to the wind? 454 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,400 Get ready for some serious innovation, 455 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,360 because the world of wind-resistant design 456 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,120 is getting really exciting. 457 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,600 Architects and engineers are using wind tunnel testing 458 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:50,520 and computational fluid dynamics, 459 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:52,560 not just to test finished designs, 460 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,760 but to inform the entire design process 461 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:55,920 from the very beginning. 462 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,880 So instead of just checking if a building will survive, 463 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,920 they're actually using wind to shape the building itself. 464 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:03,560 That's exactly right. 465 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,000 Think about the aerodynamic shape of a car. 466 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,400 It's designed to cut through the air and minimize drag. 467 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:12,040 We can apply those same principles to buildings 468 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,120 using shapes that reduce wind loads 469 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,160 and make the building more efficient. 470 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,280 I've noticed that some modern skyscrapers 471 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:20,880 have those interesting curves and twists. 472 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:23,160 Are those designed with wind in mind? 473 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:24,320 Absolutely. 474 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:25,920 Those aren't just aesthetic choices. 475 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:29,240 They're often strategically placed to redirect wind flow, 476 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,240 reduce pressure on certain areas, 477 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:34,160 and minimize the overall forces acting on the building. 478 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,280 Wow, so they're turning buildings into giant wind sails, 479 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:37,680 but in a good way. 480 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:39,760 What about the materials themselves? 481 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:41,600 Are there any new innovations in that area? 482 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:42,360 Definitely. 483 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:43,960 We're seeing some incredible advancements 484 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:45,040 in building materials. 485 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,320 For example, there are new types of high-strength glass 486 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,200 that are much more resistant to shattering, 487 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:50,840 even under the extreme pressures 488 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:52,640 from those sudden downbursts we talked about. 489 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:54,800 Stronger glass aerodynamic shapes. 490 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:57,680 What about the way buildings are actually constructed? 491 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,360 Any cool new developments there? 492 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,560 There's a growing emphasis on what's called flexible design. 493 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:04,960 This means creating buildings that can move 494 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:06,680 and sway slightly with the wind, 495 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:08,760 rather than being completely rigid. 496 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:09,840 Wait, are you serious? 497 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:12,240 Buildings that actually move with the wind, 498 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:14,880 isn't that a bit, well, risky? 499 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:16,760 It's not like they're gonna be dancing in the breeze, 500 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:18,880 but they have a certain degree of flexibility 501 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,200 engineered into their structure. 502 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,400 This helps dissipate the energy from the wind, 503 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,920 reducing the stress on the building as a whole. 504 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:27,680 So it's kind of like bending with the wind 505 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:29,080 instead of breaking. 506 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:30,200 That's pretty ingenious. 507 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,360 It's like taking a cue from nature trees 508 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:33,760 and plants sway in the wind. 509 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:35,320 They don't try to resist it completely. 510 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:36,320 You got it. 511 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:37,680 It's a fascinating approach 512 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:39,760 that's inspired by the natural world. 513 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:43,320 So we've got stronger materials, aerodynamic designs, 514 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,880 and even buildings that can move with the wind. 515 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:46,720 What's next? 516 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:50,120 What's on the horizon in terms of really futuristic ideas? 517 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:51,240 Well, hold on to your hats, 518 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,720 because this is where things get really wild. 519 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:55,080 Researchers are experimenting 520 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,880 with things like active facade systems. 521 00:16:57,880 --> 00:16:59,680 These are facades that can adjust and adapt 522 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,800 to changing wind conditions in real time. 523 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,360 Okay, you're gonna have to explain that, 524 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:08,360 one, buildings with facades that change shape with the wind. 525 00:17:08,360 --> 00:17:09,440 That sounds like something straight 526 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:10,600 out of a science fiction movie. 527 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,400 It does sound like sci-fi, but it's becoming a reality. 528 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,520 These active facades use sensors 529 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:17,480 to detect wind speed and direction, 530 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,040 and then adjust their shape or orientation 531 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:22,600 to minimize the wind load on the building. 532 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:25,080 So buildings will literally morph and transform 533 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:26,800 to withstand the wind. 534 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:27,640 That's incredible. 535 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:28,560 That's the goal. 536 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:30,080 And even more futuristic, 537 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,400 there's research being done on using wind energy 538 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,240 to power buildings themselves. 539 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,000 We could potentially see skyscrapers 540 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,480 with integrated wind turbines, 541 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,880 or even entire facades that generate energy from the wind. 542 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:42,880 Now that would be truly amazing. 543 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,120 A skyscraper that not only withstands the wind, 544 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:47,080 but actually harnesses its power, 545 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,320 would come a long way from those shattered windows in Houston. 546 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:50,160 We have. 547 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,640 It's a vision of a truly sustainable future 548 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:54,160 where buildings work in harmony 549 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:55,960 with the forces of nature. 550 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,320 This has been such an eye-opening conversation. 551 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:01,440 We started by exploring that surprising directo in Houston, 552 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:03,280 and how it challenged our assumptions 553 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:04,680 about building resilience. 554 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:07,320 We learned about wind channeling down bursts, 555 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:08,760 and the importance of understanding 556 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,480 how different types of wind events 557 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:12,160 impact the built environment. 558 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,160 And then we took a trip into the future 559 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:15,920 of wind-resistant design, 560 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:17,240 where architects and engineers 561 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,480 are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, 562 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,360 creating buildings that can withstand 563 00:18:21,360 --> 00:18:23,720 and even harness the power of the wind. 564 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:25,840 It's clear that our growing understanding of wind 565 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:27,440 will continue to shape the future 566 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:29,240 of architecture and engineering. 567 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:30,880 Well, that's a wrap on today's episode 568 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:32,520 of Meteorology Matters. 569 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:34,080 A big thank you to our expert guests 570 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,160 for sharing your incredible insights. 571 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,880 And to all of our listeners, thank you for joining us. 572 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:40,360 Don't forget to follow meteorologist 573 00:18:40,360 --> 00:18:42,040 Rob Jones on Instagram. 574 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:44,560 His handle is meteorologist on TikTok, 575 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:46,320 at TV meteorologist, 576 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:49,080 and on YouTube, follow Rob Jones' Hurricane, 577 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:49,920 where you can also find 578 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,480 the Meteorology Matters podcast playlist. 579 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:53,520 Until next time, 580 00:18:53,520 --> 00:19:21,520 stay curious about the world around you.