Geography 100- for Quiz #3 (part 3 of 4). A hurricane may contain hundreds of thunderstorms that are individually as big as those commonly seen in Utah.

Geography 100- for Quiz #3

(part 3 of 4)

A hurricane may contain hundreds of thunderstorms that are individually as big as those commonly seen in Utah.

Hurricanes may contain dozens of thunderstorms large enough to produce a tornado.

“Hot Towers” in a hurricane represent rising air that contains vast amounts of heat hidden in water vapor. They may rise to more than 60,000 feet and still

contain enough heat to keep rising.

Figure 9.15

Hurricane - Notice the high walls around the “eye” of the storm.

Jet StreamsMeridional vs

Zonal Flow

When the jet stream

provokes storms by

mixing cool/dry with warm/wet -

conflict

High

Low

Notice that is eastward-moving storm is typical - counter-clockwise air in the mid-latitudes

Notice that in a mid-latitude cyclone, cold and warm air don’t mix at first.

As Coriolis force helps turn the air, mixing begins as warm, humid air lifts over cooler, drier air that is more heavy.

Rising air provokes condensation, precipitation and strong winds.

At the end, warm air is temporarily stable above cold air below.

Figure 9.18a

Figure 9.18b

Figure 9.18c

Figure 9.18d

Figure 9.18e

Figure 9.18f

Figure 9.21

These storms continue on because the others died-out over dry land.

These storms also turn to the northeast after encountering winds coming from the west.

Dry, cool

Figure 9.23

What is the chance of a “Great Hurricane” hitting New York City in 2013?

About one chance in 100 years.

Figure 9.26

Storm surge destroyed this area.

Tornado or Hurricane?Notice how damage is much less on the left side of the main highway. Tornadoes take hard-edge swaths, whereas hurricanes take the whole area.

Labor Day

Hurricane 1935

Florida

Hundreds of war

veterans did not

escape in time.