Why does hurricane researcher Emanuel distinguish between using models to make forecasts and using models to understand phenomena better?

Answer 1

Hurricane researcher Kerry Emanuel distinguishes between using models for forecasts and understanding phenomena because forecasts are primarily aimed at predicting specific outcomes, such as storm paths and intensities, which require real-time data and often rely on empirical adjustments. In contrast, using models for understanding involves exploring the underlying physical processes and dynamics of hurricanes, which can lead to insights that improve future forecasting methods. This distinction highlights the dual role of models in both practical applications and advancing scientific knowledge.