Transcript Hurricanes - Teacher Notes

Hurricane Gustav
Hurricane Ike
How does weather
affect society?
What is a Hurricane?
 One of three names used to
describe rotating tropical storms
with a wind of at least 74 mph.
 Hurricane – Atlantic Ocean
 Cyclone – Indian Ocean
 Typhoon – Western Pacific
Tropical Depressions – Wind speeds of 38 mph
Tropical Storms – Winds of over 39 mph
Hurricanes – Winds of at least 74 mph
How Does a Hurricane Form?
• Warm moist air moves over the ocean
• The Ocean water MUST be over 80°F
• Water Vapor rises into the atmosphere
(less dense)
• Creates a LOW pressure system
 As water vapor cools it condenses into liquid droplets
 Condensation releases heat energy, feeding the
hurricane
 Warmed air continues to rise, cooler air replaces the
warm rising air creating more wind
Coriolis Effect
 In the Northern
Hemisphere hurricanes
rotate counter clockwise
 In the Southern
Hemisphere hurricane
rotate clockwise
Anatomy of a Hurricane
 Eye – Low pressure center of the hurricane
 Eye Wall – Surrounds the eye, most violent part of
storm
 Rain bands – Bands of rain showers with gusty winds,
outermost layer
Hurricane Structure
Hurricane Categories
 Saffir – Simpson Scale
 Category 1: 74-95 mph
 Category 2: 96-110 mph
 Category 3: 111-130 mph
 Category 4: 131-155 mph
 Category 5: 155+ mph
Hurricane Damage
 Rain
 Flooding
 High Sustained Winds
 Storm Surge
 Tornadoes
How do Hurricanes end?
 Hurricanes lose energy when they go over land
 Hurricanes can lose energy when they move over
colder water
 There is no moisture or heat to feed the hurricane
Hurricane Season
 June 1 to November
30 in the Atlantic,
Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and Central
Pacific
 May 15 to November
30 in the Eastern
Pacific
Famous Hurricanes
 Galveston, Texas
 Hurricane Andrew
 Hurricane Camille
 Hurricane Floyd
 Hurricane Hugo
 Hurricane Katrina