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

When is Hurricane Season?

June 1st throughNovember

31st

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

Hurricane Anatomy

Source: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/structure.htm

Another look at the Structure

Source: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/structure.htm

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

Compare the Following

Source: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/stages/home.rxml

By what two factors is hurricane strength

measured?

Wind Speed

Barometric Pressure

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

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina-hitting land

Hurricane Katrina

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

Damage to Greenville

Source: http://www.guc.com/about/floyd.htm

Source: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm

THE END