Tropical Cyclones - Hurricanes Huge rotating masses of low pressure Characterized by strong winds and Torrential rain.

Winds exceed 120 kilometer per hour Hurricanes North and South America Typhoons Western North Pacific Ocean Cyclones Indian Ocean

Origin of Tropical Cyclones

Begin as low pressure cells break away from the equatorial low pressure belt and grow as they pick up heat energy from the warm ocean. Surface winds feed moisture into the storm

When water evaporates stores tremendous amount of latent heat of evaporation Released vast amount of latent heat of condensation when water vapor form liquid water (rain) Latent heat of condensation powers tropical cyclones.

The conditions needed to create hurricane Ocean water temperature > 25 oC Provides abundance of water vapor to atmosphere through evaporation Warm moist air, supplies vast amount of Latent heat as the water vapor in the air Condenses and fuel the storm The Coriolis effect causes the hurricane to spin Counterclockwise Northern Hemisphere Clockwise Southern Hemisphere Equator ???

Movement
When hurricanes are initiated they remain in the tropics If hurricanes move over land, Its energy source cut off Trade winds drive hurricanes, So they move from east to west across oceans The diameter typically 200 km, but also can Exceed 800 km

The center, or eye, of a hurricane is relatively calm The most violent activity takes place in the area immediately around the eye, called the eyewall At the top of the eyewall most of the air is propelled outward, increasing the air's upward motion

2005 Arlene Bret Cindy Dennis Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene

Jose Katrina Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rita Stan Tammy Vince Wilma

2006 Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac

Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William

This satellite image shows Tropical Storm Irene on Saturday at 12:15 a.m.