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Teaching the Dangers of Snow Squalls
Dr. Jase E. Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability and director of meteorology, was featured on WPSU/Pennsylvania Cable and on The Weather Channel’s Weather Geek podcast about his VR research that demonstrates the danger of driving in a snow squall and the science behind these dangerous bursts of weather.
Jase E. Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability and director of meteorology at Hofstra University, talked to WCBS-TV about the string of snow storms forecasted for the New York metropolitan area recently.
Work on Snow Squall VR Simulation Moves Forward
Last year, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was awarded a $100,000 Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grant from the National Safety Council, to develop a VR simulation of driving in a snow squall. The project aims to share information about the onset of snow squalls, the importance of heeding emergency weather advisories, and how drivers should respond if they are on the road when a snow squall occurs. Dr. Bernhardt has partnered with meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in State College, PA, and was in Pennsylvania recently to participate in a press conference and conduct field research supporting his work. The press conference was promoted on PAcast – the official website of the Pennsylvania state government. Local news stations like NBC affiliate WJAC-TV; ABC affiliate WHTM-TV; WPMT-TV Fox43 News; and PennWatch covered the press conference.
Recent Rain Not Enough to End Dry Spell
Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was interviewed by Newsday about weather conditions in the local area. Experts say that heavy rain recently was unlikely to end a regionwide, three-month dry spell. Dr. Bernhardt called the drought conditions “super-eye opening” and “certainly unprecedented in recent times.”
LI Communities Take Measures to Stem Flooding Issues
Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was interviewed by WCBS-TV, about measures being taken in West Islip, Long Island, to mitigate flooding issues. He also talked to MoneyGeek.com about the ways in which climate change impacts homeowners. “Climate change should certainly be taken into account if you are a prospective home buyer,” he said. “It is always worth reading up on the normal climate conditions for the location where you are purchasing a home, to see if anything jumps out at you, such as a heightened risk of hurricanes or tornadoes.”
Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, spoke to Newsday* about the Town of Islip’s spending to improve flood-zones. “For those that are near the coastline and are vulnerable to coastline flooding, it’s only going to get worse. Our landscape is our best defense.”
VR Simulation to Demonstrate the Danger of Snow Squalls
Since 2017, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, has been using virtual reality technology to teach the public about the dangers of rip currents, hurricanes, and flash flooding. His most recent award, a $100,000 Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grant from the National Safety Council, is enabling him to tackle another seasonal weather worry: driving in snow squalls. The National Safety Council received funding for this grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bernhardt’s project aims to share information about the onset of snow squalls, the importance of heeding emergency weather advisories, and what drivers should do if they are on the road when a snow squall occurs. Although squalls are infrequent, they are extreme and frightening winter weather events that can result in a rapid onset of heavy snow, low visibility, icy roadways, and frigid temperatures. “Snow squalls are a very specific type of weather phenomenon. They often occur on a clear, calm day, with no warning of precipitation,” Bernhardt said. “Seemingly out of nowhere, you’ll see clouds, followed by a quick burst of very heavy snow. For a short time, perhaps only 10, 15 minutes, there are whiteout conditions where drivers can barely see the road ahead of them.” According to the U.S. Department of Transportation website, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15% happen during snowfall or sleet. More than 1,300 people are killed and nearly 117,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually. Because winters in the New York metropolitan area have been mild for the last few years, Bernhardt worries that people have been lulled into a false sense of security about driving during winter storms or squalls. “We’re not used to being in that kind of severe weather anymore,” he said. “Snow squalls can be deadly in terms of massive collisions and multi-vehicle chain collisions. The key thing to remember is that they come in rapidly, catching people by surprise.” Bernhardt is collaborating on the software for the snow squall VR simulation with Frank Martin ’22, ’23, who earned both a BS and an MS in Computer Science from Hofstra University. Users will wear a headset and hold a device – like a video game controller – in each hand to replicate the movements of a steering wheel. In this way, users will experience what it is like to drive from clear, pleasant conditions into a brutal wall of snow. Bernhardt said that if a warning for a snow squall is issued via emergency broadcast, he hopes people who have used the simulation will understand the urgency of getting off the road or pulling onto the shoulder and remaining in their vehicle. “We want people to have an experience that is as close to reality as possible. The idea is to simulate how sudden and terrifying snow squalls can be and give people an opportunity to learn what they should and should not do if they are caught in one,” Bernhardt said. In conjunction with the VR simulation, Bernhardt is developing a survey to determine people’s reactions to emergency messaging and how effective it is. He will work with the National Weather Service to have the simulation and surveys available by fall 2025 for use at training and outreach events throughout the Northeast. Like Bernhardt’s rip current project, there are plans to have a version of the snow squall simulation and corresponding literature available in Spanish. Dr. Sasha Pesci, Hofstra assistant professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, is co-principal investigator on the grant and is helping with the translation of materials. “More and more, the National Weather Service, state and federal governments, and other agencies recognize the importance of having this information available in other languages,” Bernhardt said. “There are a lot of drivers whose primary language is Spanish, and they include cab and Uber drivers, and truckers.” Jase Bernhardt is available to speak with media about this topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Hurricane Season Quiet, But Not Yet Over
Jase Bernhardt, associate professor and director of Sustainability Studies and Meteorology in the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability, was interviewed by WNYW-TV Fox 5 about this year’s hurricane season. Though there aren’t any storms currently brewing in the Atlantic, Dr. Bernhardt says we are only midway through hurricane season and should not yet let our guard down. Jase Bernhardt is available to speak with media about this topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
States Most and Least Impacted by Natural Disasters
For a report on states with the most (and least) climate risk today, MoneyGeek interviewed Jase Bernhardt, associate professor and director of Sustainability Studies and Meteorology in the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability. Dr. Bernhardt talked about the biggest natural hazards that are affecting the country and how the population can prepare for events like flooding, extreme heat, and severe thunderstorms. Jase Bernhardt is also an expert on hurricane preparedness. He is available to speak with media about these topics - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Listen to the Insights of an Expert: Heat Wave Hits Long Island
Jase Bernhardt, associate professor and director of Sustainability Studies in the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability, was interviewed by Newsday about the recent heat wave Long Island experienced can be linked to climate change. “That dome is allowing hot, humid air to come up from the Gulf of Mexico and the southeast US straight into the Northeast and straight into New York,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “Also, given that we have direct sun angle, the longest days of the year, it’s allowing very hot days.” Jase Bernhardt is also an expert on hurricane preparedness. He is available to speak with media about these topics - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.