Waves, Wind, and Crops: LSU’s Coastal Meteorology in Action

From dramatic thunderstorms to sun-soaked afternoons, Louisiana’s unique blend of weather, water, and land creates a lively mix that touches everything from bayous to businesses. Nowhere is this interplay more pronounced than along the coast, where these forces shape industries and everyday life.

As Chris D'Elia, former Dean of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment, or CC&E, puts it, “Wind moves waves, waves move sediment, sediment changes landforms, and landforms transform ecosystems.” This intricate interdependence means coastal weather is much more than passing showers or seasonal storms; it is a driving force behind the economies of southern Louisiana, influencing everything from sugarcane harvests to energy production and tourism.

“ Coastal weather is much more than passing showers or seasonal storms; it is a driving force behind the economies of southern Louisiana, influencing everything from sugarcane harvests to energy production and tourism. ”

Recognizing these dynamic connections, CC&E researchers work to share new knowledge that supports Louisiana’s communities and industries. Notably, the college offers what is believed to be the world’s first undergraduate coastal meteorology program. Here, students learn more than how to predict the weather, they gain skills in assessing risks, interpreting AI-driven forecasts, and verifying the accuracy of these predictions. Such expertise is critical for sectors like agriculture, where even subtle changes in weather can have major consequences. 

Bridging research with practice, tools like the Drought Irrigation Response Tool (DIRT), developed through collaboration among faculty in the LSU AgCenter, LaHouse Resource Center and CC&E, exemplify the benefits of coastal sciences. By running a continuous daily water balance model that incorporates user-provided data about crop location and specifics in Louisiana, DIRT offers farmers tailored insights for irrigation management. At present, DIRT awaits funding for a weather data subscription that would support the renewal of its free-of-charge service to our state. 

Furthermore, major studies led by the coastal meteorology program investigate the impacts of hurricanes and droughts on Louisiana’s agriculture and infrastructure. These projects do more than estimate potential crop losses, forecasting, for instance $57 million in annual crop losses by 2025 due to weather hazards, they also provide farmers with new tools and strategies to build resilience and plan effectively. 

Complementing these efforts, the Louisiana Office of State Climatology (LOSC), located at LSU, supports the state’s agricultural and industrial sectors by maintaining real-time climate monitoring. In partnership with agencies such as NOAA and USDA, LOSC delivers sound, scientifically based information to ensure ongoing support to industries during extreme events.

LSU’s fieldwork is equally robust. Collaborative experiments with advanced sensors, developed with the LSU AgCenter, continually enhance the state’s ability to withstand floods and drought. These “what if” experiments provide valuable data about how hybrid corps or ornamental horticulture can bolster the resilience of Louisiana’s agricultural and horticultural landscapes.

At the heart of these efforts are dedicated faculty members like Dr. Robert Rohli (Director), Dr. Paul Miller, Dr. Chunyan Li, Dr. Wengui Liang, and Dr. Nazla Bushra. Their leadership propels the college forward, ensuring CC&E remains a hub of innovative research and practical education. 

In short, through an integration of education, research and outreach, LSU’s College of the Coast & Environment empowers Louisiana’s people and industries to thrive, no matter what the weather brings.