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Hurricanes

Hurricanes are large tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters and contain heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges. They form from low pressure systems and rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere due to Coriolis effect. To develop, they require warm ocean temperatures above 80°F and light upper level winds. The greatest dangers of hurricanes include strong winds over 155 mph, heavy rainfall and tornadoes, and large storm surges that can flood coastal areas. Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson scale from 1 to 5 based on their wind speeds, with category 5 being the strongest with potential for catastrophic damage.

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516 views

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are large tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters and contain heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges. They form from low pressure systems and rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere due to Coriolis effect. To develop, they require warm ocean temperatures above 80°F and light upper level winds. The greatest dangers of hurricanes include strong winds over 155 mph, heavy rainfall and tornadoes, and large storm surges that can flood coastal areas. Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson scale from 1 to 5 based on their wind speeds, with category 5 being the strongest with potential for catastrophic damage.

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HURRICANES

OCEANS SEVERE WEATHER

WHAT IS A HURRICANE?

A large tropical cyclone capable of


high winds, heavy rains, an d intense
flooding.
Can include thunderstorms, tornados,
wind that can go beyond 155 MPH,
and storm surges of greater than 15
feet.
Storms which move counterclockwise
around a low pressure area.

ROTATION OF A HURRICANE

Hurricane Erin In the Northern hemisphere.


Counterclockwise rotation when
viewed from space.

Cyclone Yasi In the Southern hemisphere.


Clockwise rotation when viewed from
space.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A


HURRICANE TO FORM?

A low pressure disturbance


Temperatures of ocean water
being at least 80o F.
Light upper level winds

WHY DO HURRICANES FORM IN


SUMMER?

HOW DOES A HURRICANE FORM?


1. The low pressure disturbance comes into contact
with warm ocean water
2. As the warm, moist air rises, the pressure decreases
3. As the air rises, it cools slightly, condensing the
evaporated water.
4. This condensation releases heat adding more
energy to the storm
5. The cloud tops will grow higher and the storm will
strengthen
6. As it gets stronger the storm will start to circulate
around the low

FORMATION STEP BY STEP

THE RISE AND FALL OF A HURRICANE


If the storm stays over warm water and
upper level winds stay light, the storm will
usually strengthen.
If the storm passes over cooler water, the
storm will start to fall apart and die.
Landfall will quickly weaken a storm
because it shuts off its energy supply (warm
water)
The storm will reintensify if it moves back out
over warmer water. Even if it has made
landfall.

CAUSING A DOWNGRADE OF A
HURRICANE

PATH OF HURRICANE IVAN

DANGERS WITHIN THE HURRICANE

Storm surge
High winds
Rainfall and tornadoes

STORM SURGE
an abnormal rise of water
generated by a storm
A large dome of water 50100 miles wide
Can be greater than 15
feet deep
pulled up by the
decrease of air pressure
around the eye and
pushed up by the winds
Accounts for the greatest
loss of life associated with
storm surges (flooding)

HIGH WINDS
The highest wind speeds
are generally on the
northeast (south facing
shorelines when making
landfall) or the north (east
facing shores when
making landfall)
Can rip apart roofs and
destroy unsecured
buildings
Damage from flying
debris is a threat as well.

RAINFALL AND TORNADOS


Rainfall

Tornados
Form on the fringes
of the storm.
The bigger storm the
greater the
possibilities of
tornadoes

6 to 12 inches of rain
Causes flash
flooding which
means more water
caused by the
surge.

IMPACT ON SOCIETY
Loss of life
Bad Warning Systems
Difficulty evacuating
Less structurally sound
structures

Property Damage
Affects more people lifting on
the coast
Newer or more costly
structures tend to survive the
storm better.

WHAT CATEGORY?
SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE

Tropical Depression
Tropical Storm
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5

TROPICAL DEPRESSION

Surface wind speeds below 39 MPH


Formed over tropical waters
Damage is minimal
Storm is not named.
Disorganized-no rotation

TROPICAL STORM

Surface winds speeds of 40 -73 MPH


Have some circulation
Damage to foliage and unattached objects
Named

HURRICANE NAMES

CATEGORY 1
Surface wind speeds
74-95 MPH
Air pressure is greater
than 980 mb
No real damage to
building structures
Damages mobile
homes, foliage and
some coastal
flooding occurs.

CATEGORY 2

Surface wind speeds 96-110 MPH


979-965 mb air pressure
Roofing material and windows damaged
Piers damaged and small watercraft can break free.
Hurricane Earl

CATEGORY 3
Surface wind speeds
111 mph-130 mph
Air pressure between
964-945 mb
Major flooding along
coastal regions,
damage from floating
debris
Small building severely
damaged
Example Hurricane IKE

CATEGORY 4

Surface wind speeds 131-155 MPH


Air pressure 944-920 mb
Roofs pulled off structures
Major beach erosion
Major flooding damage of lower floors of structures.
Hurricane Katrina

CATEGORY 5
Surface wind speeds greater than 155 mph
Air pressure is less than 920 mb
Major damage to all buildings
Small buildings completely gone
Most buildings near shore are completely damaged
or gone
Very few have made US landfall as a category 5

Hurricane Felix

Hurricane Gilbert

INTERESTING FACTS
Hurricanes mostly occur from June to November when
seas are the warmest, forming a conducive weather for
the hurricanes to build up.
Most hurricanes in North America hit areas near the
Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The warm water
of the West Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico create more
favorable conditions for hurricanes.
The words hurricane, cyclone and typhoon are all
names for the same type of storm. The name tells you
where the storm occurred. Hurricanes are defined as
storms over the North Atlantic or the Caribbean. In the
western Pacific Ocean, hurricanes are known as
typhoons. Cyclones are hurricanes over the Indian
Ocean.

INTERESTING FACTS
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew blew across southern
Florida at speeds of 140-160 mph (225-258 kph). In
terms of property loss, Andrew was one of the worst
hurricanes to ever hit North America. The property
devastation was massive. Entire communities were
wiped out and had to be rebuilt. Hurricane Andrew
left 50 people dead and caused over $25 billion in
damages.
In 1995, 11 hurricanes were recorded in the Atlantic.
Named storms got all the way up to Hurricane
Tanya. Allison, Dean, Erin, Gabrielle, Jerry, Opal, and
Roxanne all made landfall in the US.

HURRICANE FACTS
In the Atlantic, hurricane season starts June 1, while
in the Pacific it starts May 15. Both end on
November 30.

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