HURRICANES The History, Structure, Development, and Destruction e: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm
Jan 01, 2016
HURRICANES
The History, Structure, Development, and
Destruction
Source: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm
What is a hurricane?
Violent cyclonic storm that develops in the tropical region
Wind speeds are > 74 mph
Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=680
Rotation and Pressure
In which direction does a hurricane rotate?
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Is the barometric pressure inside the hurricane high or low?
LOW
What conditions must be present for a hurricane to
develop?
Warm ocean temperatures (>80˚ F) up to 60m deep
Little to no wind shear Low pressure system at
least 5˚ North or South of Equator
Rotation caused by winds Source:
http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/fran/
fran.html
What is the major source of energy fueling a
hurricane?
Heat Energy evaporating from the ocean surface
Source: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hyd/evap.rxml
Comparison of Terms Tropical Disturbance
Group of thunderstorms in the tropics that are present for at least 24 hours
Tropical Wave lack of circulation, winds <25 mph and
every direction
Tropical Depressionclosed circulation but disorganized, winds
at least 25 mph
Comparison of Terms
Tropical Storm Shower and thunderstorm moves over
closed circulation, winds greater than 39 mph
HurricaneEye is developed, winds > 74 mph
What is the Scale Used to Categorize Hurricanes?
Saffir-Simpson ScaleCategor
yMax Wind
Speed(mph)
Min. Surface Pressure (mb)
Storm Surge m (ft)
1 74-96 > 980 1-1.7 (3-5)
2 97-111 979-965 1.8-2.6 (6-8)
3 112-131 964-945 2.7-3.8 (9-12)
4 132-155 944-920 3.9-5.6 (13-18)
5 > 155 < 920 > 5.7 (>19)Source: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/hurricane/saffir-simpson.html
What is a storm surge?
Large wall or dome of water that rushes into the coastline as a result of a hurricane making landfall
To the right are the areas affected by high storm surges
Souce: http://www.wkrg.com/hurricanecenter/surge/SE.jpg
Explain why the deadliest storms were longer ago.
Lack of instrumentation to predict and track storms
People were not warned of the incoming danger
Source: http://www.1900storm.com/photographs/photo10.html
Results of the Galveston Hurricane
http://cindi.usgs.gov/cindi/hazard/event/floyd/ncflood/mediums/img023.jpg
Mrs. Parker’s
Old House
Final Water Level
Flooding of Tar River as result of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd
DocksideTar RiverEstates
2008 Hurricane Names Arthur
BerthaCristobalDollyEdouardFayGustavHannaIkeJosephineKyleLaura
MarcoNanaOmarPalomaReneSallyTeddyVickyWilfred