250 likes | 600 Views
UNDERSTANDING HURRICANE SEASON Hurricane History And Cycles Hurricane Season Storm Breeding Grounds Return Intervals Hurricane Impacts Presented today by John Caffin. Hurricane cycles. Hurricane Frequency: Sharpest increase August 20 – Sept. 11.
E N D
UNDERSTANDING HURRICANE SEASON Hurricane History And Cycles Hurricane Season Storm Breeding Grounds Return Intervals Hurricane Impacts Presented today by John Caffin
Hurricane Impacts • Storm Surge • Tornadoes • High Winds • Inland Flooding
Tornados • Nearly 60% of hurricanes that made landfall (1948 to 1986) spawned at least 1 tornado • In general, tropical tornados are less intense than those that occur in the Great Plains. • Tropical Systems allow for the potential of a significant outbreak of tornados
Likely in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane Form with little or no warning Circulations are often smaller and short lived Storm motion
Inland High winds The strongest winds usually occur in the right side of the eyewall of the hurricane. Wind gusts on top of sustained winds can significantly add to the destructive power ! Wind speed usually decreases significantly within 12 hours after landfall. Nonetheless, winds can stay above hurricane strength well inland.
1000 feet – Cat 5 – 160 mph 500 feet – Cat 4 – 145 mph Surface – Cat 3 – 120 mph
Inland Flooding Inland flooding risk is directly related to how quickly the storm is moving, which is more important than storm strength or size. If a storm moves slowly it will drop more rain in a given area, greatly increasing the chance for inland flooding. Inland flooding kills more people annually than storm surge or wind.
Storm size and strength are not reliable indicators of the heavy rainfall potential in your area