US: Sharper forecasts may help avert repeat of Katrina disaster - Feature

The science of predicting hurricanes has come a long way since Katrina caught New Orleans officials off guard 10 years ago, reports Reuters. A range of technological advances, from a new generation of satellites to supercomputers and unmanned drones, promises more-accurate forecasts that would increase public officials' confidence in weather experts' advice that in turn, could save lives.

According to the report, government forecasters struggled this week to predict the strength of Tropical Storm Erika as it swept through the Caribbean toward Florida because mountainous islands and hostile winds interfered with the weather system.