Hurricane Notes
Hurricane Notes
What is a Hurricane?
A counter-clockwise moving storm that forms in large bodies of water
A storm with winds > 74 mph
Other names for Hurricanes: Typhoon, Cyclone
Anatomy of a Hurricane
Eye: 12-30 miles in diameter; warm with light winds
Eye wall: Wall of storm and high winds surrounding the eye
Storm Surge: High waves/tides caused by a hurricane Rise in sea level leads to floods and fatalities
Dirty Side: Bottom right corner of the hurricane
Where are Hurricanes?
Coastal areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
When are Hurricanes?
Atlantic: June 1 – November 30
Pacific: May 15 – November 30
How do Hurricanes Form?
Hot water evaporates rapidly tropical waters
Warm water vapor rises quickly creating a low pressure system Tropical Wave – Low pressure system Tropical Disturbance – weather system with clouds and precipitation is organized and maintains for 24 hours Tropical Depression – weather system with maximum winds of 38 mph Tropical Storm – weather system with maximum winds of 73 mph
How do you know a Hurricane is coming? The Hurricane Center tracks, predicts the path and prepares people for hurricanes Hurricane Watch – a hurricane is expected to come on shore within 36 hours Hurricane Warning – a hurricane is expected to come on shore within 24 hours
How are Hurricanes Classified?
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale Category | Wind Speeds | Storm Surge | Damage | 1 | 74-95 mph | 4-5 ft | Some damage to unanchored mobile homes, shrubs, trees | 2 | 96-110 mph | 6-8 ft | Major damage to mobile homes, roofs, trees | 3 | 111-130 mph | 9-12 ft | Destroys mobile homes, trees, damage to small buildings | 4 | 131-155 mph | 13-18 ft | Completely destroys mobile homes, flooding | 5 | > 155 mph | >18 ft | Extensive damage to buildings, severe flooding |
Hurricane Hazards * Massive destruction * Tornadoes and Flooding * Billions of dollars in damage
What is a Hurricane?
A counter-clockwise moving storm that forms in large bodies of water
A storm with winds > 74 mph
Other names for Hurricanes: Typhoon, Cyclone
Anatomy of a Hurricane
Eye: 12-30 miles in diameter; warm with light winds
Eye wall: Wall of storm and high winds surrounding the eye
Storm Surge: High waves/tides caused by a hurricane Rise in sea level leads to floods and fatalities
Dirty Side: Bottom right corner of the hurricane
Where are Hurricanes?
Coastal areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
When are Hurricanes?
Atlantic: June 1 – November 30
Pacific: May 15 – November 30
How do Hurricanes Form?
Hot water evaporates rapidly tropical waters
Warm water vapor rises quickly creating a low pressure system Tropical Wave – Low pressure system Tropical Disturbance – weather system with clouds and precipitation is organized and maintains for 24 hours Tropical Depression – weather system with maximum winds of 38 mph Tropical Storm – weather system with maximum winds of 73 mph
How do you know a Hurricane is coming? The Hurricane Center tracks, predicts the path and prepares people for hurricanes Hurricane Watch – a hurricane is expected to come on shore within 36 hours Hurricane Warning – a hurricane is expected to come on shore within 24 hours
How are Hurricanes Classified?
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale Category | Wind Speeds | Storm Surge | Damage | 1 | 74-95 mph | 4-5 ft | Some damage to unanchored mobile homes, shrubs, trees | 2 | 96-110 mph | 6-8 ft | Major damage to mobile homes, roofs, trees | 3 | 111-130 mph | 9-12 ft | Destroys mobile homes, trees, damage to small buildings | 4 | 131-155 mph | 13-18 ft | Completely destroys mobile homes, flooding | 5 | > 155 mph | >18 ft | Extensive damage to buildings, severe flooding |
Hurricane Hazards * Massive destruction * Tornadoes and Flooding * Billions of dollars in damage