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HURRICANES. 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.
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HURRICANES 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 is the role of the National Weather Service during hurricane season? • Provides weather information, such as data from satellites • Responsible for issuing watches and warnings to the media and general public
Watch vs. Warning • What is the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning? • Watch – Tropical storm poses a threat to coastal areas with 36 hours • Warning - Tropical storm conditions are expected in a coastal area within 24 hours
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 Depression closed 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 Hurricane Eye is developed, winds > 74 mph
What is the Scale Used to Categorize Hurricanes? Saffir-Simpson Scale Source: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/hurricane/saffir-simpson.html
What causes the damage in a hurricane? • Winds • Flooding • Storm Surge
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
What destroys a hurricane? • Strong vertical winds • Cold water • Movement over land • Friction • Lack of moisture
What are the five deadliest hurricanes in the United States? • Galveston – 1900 • Southeast Florida – 1928 • Florida Keys – 1919 • New England – 1938 • Florida Keys – 1935
Explain why the deadliest storms were longer ago. • Lack of instrumentation to predict and track storms • People were not warned of the incoming danger Results of the Galveston Hurricane Source: http://www.1900storm.com/photographs/photo10.html
Protection • Listen to warnings • Take all warnings seriously • Follow evacuations • Prepare Food and Water for extensive power outages
THE END Source: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm