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Hurricanes

Hurricanes. Hurricanes help distribute global energy…. Move heat from tropics to higher latitudes Like El Niῆo in Pacific. Where can they form?. 5 to 20 degrees latitude Most in North Pacific! Hurricanes that affect U.S. begin in Atlantic, Caribbean, or Gulf

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Hurricanes

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  1. Hurricanes

  2. Hurricanes help distribute global energy… • Move heat from tropics to higher latitudes • Like El Niῆo in Pacific

  3. Where can they form? • 5 to 20 degrees latitude • Most in North Pacific! • Hurricanes that affect U.S. begin in Atlantic, Caribbean, or Gulf • Move east to west in trade winds

  4. Needed for formation… • Warm, deep ocean water • Converging winds at surface • Unstable warm air rises • Low pressure at center

  5. FYI…Lowest pressure systems… • Wilma (2005) 882 mbar • Gilbert (1988) 888 mbar • Unnamed (1935) 892 mbar • Rita (2005) 895 mbar • Allen (1980) 899 mbar • Katrina (2005) 902 mbar • “Normal” atmospheric pressure is 1000 mbars at sea level

  6. Needed for formation… • Humid air at high altitudes • Vapor condenses releasing energy • Pre-existing winds same direction, altitude, speed • Upper atmosphere high-pressure pumps air up and away

  7. Hurricane Circulation

  8. In the northern hemisphere… • Rising air moves counterclockwise surrounding the storm • Eye wall – greatest wind speed and heaviest rainfall • Bermuda High steers storms

  9. Storm Surge

  10. Video • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/hurricanes-101

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