HURRICANES – NATURE’S FURY!!!

Check these out…

You’d probably want to evacuate at

this point…
What kind of damage are we talkin’ about here?

Might want to take the detour…

 Ok, So What Exactly Is a Hurricane?

A hurricane can best be

described as a huge
tropical storm (up to 600
miles in diameter)! Arrows indicate
“feeder bands”
or “rain bands”
Winds can be up to 200
mph!
Storm usually doesn’t last
for more than 7-10 days. The winds are the strongest around the eye
wall. They eye of the storm is usually about
It moves across the ocean
20 miles in diameter. Within the eye, winds
at around 10-20 mph…not
are calm and the weather is great.
too fast really!
Strongest winds are on the right side,
heaviest rain is usually on the left side.
 Scary…so when do I need to watch out for these things??
Since we’re in the USA, we’ll focus on what meteorologists call the “Atlantic Basin”.
The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of
Mexico.

The “hurricane
season” is just a
name for the time
period when we
expect to see
tropical systems
develop. The
hurricane season
for the Atlantic
runs from June 1st
– November 30th.
Peak season is the middle part of September…why
do you think this is?
 So where are these “Atlantic Basin” Hurricanes forming???
Storms of the Atlantic
basin will begin forming
in one of three places:
• Off the coast of Africa What is the
• In the Caribbean Sea ITCZ????
• In the Gulf of Mexico
Intertropical Convergence Zone

The ITCZ is an
area of low
pressure located
roughly 5 degrees
North and South of
the Equator. It is a
place where air
converges, rises,
and condenses
(forming clouds).
It is the rainiest
place on Earth!
 So What Does a Hurricane Need in Order to Develop?

So a hurricane needs warm water, time to grow, and favorable upper

level winds in the troposphere. If the winds are too strong, they will
blow the hurricane apart – we call that wind shear!
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 1 – Tropical Wave (Depression)

Usually has begun its life off of the west coast of Africa in the ITCZ.
Tropical depressions have winds of less than 39mph, and are not given a
name.

Lacks structure – no
well developed
feeder bands or eye
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 2 – Tropical Storm

At this point, the tropical storm is beginning to develop some serious

structure. Winds range from 40-73 mph. In the Atlantic, storms are given
a name when they reach this stage.

Feeder bands are

beginning to develop
– you can see the
center of the low
pressure system
more easily. Eye and
eye wall still not well
formed.
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 3 – Category 1 Hurricane

Winds range from 75-94 mph.

Well developed
feeder bands. An
eye begins to form
(although it is
covered in clouds).
Storm is tightening
around center.
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 4 – Category 2 Hurricane

Winds range from 95-110 mph.

Well developed
feeder bands. An
eye and eye wall are
usually very well
formed. Storm
continues to tighten
around center.
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 5 – Category 3 Hurricane

Winds range from 111-130 mph.

Now considered a
“Major Storm”.
Intense flooding and
building damage will
occur to most areas
on the coast. Further
inland, the damage
will still be
substantial.
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 6 – Category 4 Hurricane

Winds range from 131-155 mph.

All shrubs, signs and

trees blown down.
COMPLETE
DESTRUCTION of mobile
homes. Extensive
damage to doors and
windows. Major damage
to lower floors of
structures near the coast.
 Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 7 – Category 5 Hurricane

Winds greater than 156 mph!

Complete roof failure on
many residential and
industrial buildings. Some
complete building failures
with small utility buildings
blown over or away.
Massive evacuation of
residential areas on low
ground within 5-10 miles
of the coastline maybe
required.
Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity
 Hurricane Naming System – Why do they have names anyway?
Andrea
Barry
Chantal
•In 1953 the National Weather
Dean
Service began naming storms after Erin
women. Felix
•In 1979, men’s names were added Gabrielle
Humberto
to the list of hurricane names.
This year’s list Ingrid
• In the Atlantic, there are 6 lists of Jerry
names that are recycled. Karen
Lorenzo
• In the case of storms so devastating Melissa
that reusing the name is Noel
inappropriate, the name is taken off Olga
the list and another name is used to Pablo
Rebekah
replace it. The name “Katrina” is one
Sebastien
that will be removed from the list. Tanya
Van
Wendy
More cool stuff to check out…
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