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Explore the characteristics and stages of hurricanes, including climatology, key factors such as sea surface temperatures and vertical wind shear, and the impact of North African dust storms. Learn about hurricane naming conventions, the TRMM mission, and the distinctions between hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones.
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Most Hurricanes are Category 1-3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Few are 4 & 5. 1900-2007 climatology.
Global sea surface temperatures T > 81 oF=27 °C for hurricane formation
Warm enough ocean temperatures & large enough Coriolis force (Latitudes greater than 10 degrees)
High Vertical Wind Shear: Destroys hurricane formation
Low Vertical Wind Shear Enhances hurricane formation
Stages in development Complexes of thunderstorms >64 knots 20-34 knots 35-63 knots Names are given to Tropical storms and Hurricanes
Eye Wall Rain Bands Eye
Katrina August 28, 2005 TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission)
Surface Pressure lowest in eye and wind speeds highest in eye-wall
Hurricanes are in the water near North America, Typhoons Near Eastern Asia, Cyclones everywhere else.
Red- tropical storms and hurricanes Yellow- hurricanes only Green- cat 3 or larger.