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Power Hour Hurricance Tower Background Info
Power Hour Hurricance Tower Background Info
Presented By:
Jess Downing
Karen A. Kosiba
Hurricanes are:
• Tropical cyclones.
• Two-Celled Vortices
(contain both upward
and downward
motions).
• Cyclonic in the lower
levels and anticyclonic
in the upper levels.
• Atlantic Hurricane
Season: June-
November
Classification
• Tropical Cyclone: A tropical cyclone is the
generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-
pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical
waters with organized convection (i.e.
thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic
surface wind circulation.
• Tropical Depression: TC with winds near the
surface of less than 39 mph.
• Tropical Storm: TC with winds 39 to 74 mph.
• Hurricane: TC with winds of 74mph or greater.
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/t
cfaqA.html#A2
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane
Damage Potential Scale
Naming a Storm
• Alphabetical, alternating female/male
• Names of minor hurricanes are reused on a
6 yr. cycle.
• The NHC retires a storm’s name if it
incurred heavy losses of life or extensive
property damage.
– Ex: Hugo (89), Andrew (92)
Hurricane Structure
• Eye
• Eye Wall
• Rain bands (Feeder bands)
Eye
• Generally free of tall
clouds.
• Winds are light.
• Air aloft is warm and
dry.
• Surface air pressures
are lowest due to
sinking and warming
of air.
• Diameter = 16-70 km
Book: Hurricanes of the North
Atlantic
Eye Wall
• Ring of cumulonimbus
clouds immediately
surrounding the eye.
• Contains strongest
winds and heaviest
rains.
• Contains (the majority
of) intense rising
motions.
Hurricanes of the North Atlantic
Spiral Feeder Bands
• Appearance (from
space) similar to a
spiral galaxy.
• Heavy rains and
squalls (strong winds
of short duration with
sudden
onset/dissipation).
• Outermost bands can
be 1000 km from
hurricane center.
Hurricanes of the North Atlantic
Approaching Hurricane Cont.
• As the eye passes, winds become light
before switching direction and gaining
strength.
• The largest winds occur in the right side of
the vortex—the vector sum of the wind
velocity and the storm velocity.
How Does a Hurricane Work??
• Hurricanes are heat engines.
• Energy is provided by evaporation of warm
water from oceans.
• Water vapor carried up in cumulonimbus
towers.
• Rising air cooled by expansion leading to
condensation.
www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/
cm_smith/Dictyota.htm
Hurricane Damage
• Storm Surge
• Inland Flooding
• Wind Damage
• Tornadoes
Storm Surge
• What is it?
– Domes of water produced by the action of
cyclonic winds during a hurricane, in which the
sea level can be up to five meters higher than
normal (Camille had a storm surge of 7m!)
– Waves on top of the surge are especially
damaging during high tide
• Causes 90% of deaths (drowning)
• Residents in low lying areas at greatest risk
• Water can be pushed into bays and rivers
(flooding)
• Erosion
• Sea water weighs 64 lbs per cubic foot!
http://www.bahamasnet.com/images/r
oad1.jpg
Inland Flooding
• Usually brought on by heavy, storm-induced
rains that quickly swell rivers and streams
• These flooding rains are most dangerous for
people living inland
– Hurricane Camille (69) killed 109 people in VA
after making landfall in LA
Wind Damage
• Ability to be most
destructive to property
• Wind driven flying
debris
• Erosion
www.ci.hilton-head-island.sc.us/
Hurricane/family.html
Tornadoes
• Cause most damage in local areas far
removed from coastal regions.
• Approximately one-fourth of landfall
hurricanes produce tornadoes.
• Tornadoes produced are usually F2 or
below.
• Tend to form in the front right quadrant of
the hurricane—vertical wind shear is
greatest.
Saffir/Simpson Scale
and Property Damage
• Cat 1: No damage to building structures. Minor
damage to mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees.
Some coastal road flooding and minor pier
damage. Some roof, door, and window damage on
buildings.
• Cat 2: Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile
homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape
routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of eye wall.
Small craft in open anchorage break moorings.
Some structural damage to small residences.
Hurricanes of the North Atlantic
Property Damage Con’t
• Cat 3: Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near
the coast destroys smaller structures with larger
structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain
lower than 5 ft ASL may be flooded inland 8 mi or
more. More extensive wall failure with some
complete roof structure failure on small
residences.
• Cat 4: Major erosion of beach. Major damage to
lower floors of structures near shore. Terrain lower
than 10 ft ASL may be flooded, requiring
evacuation of residential areas inland to 6 miles.
Complete roof failure on many homes and
industrial buildings.
Hurricanes of the North Atlantic
Property Damage Con’t
• Cat 5: Some complete building failures with small
buildings blown over or away. Major damage to
lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft
ASL and within 500 yd of the shoreline.
Evacuation of areas on low ground within 5 to 10
mi of shore may be required.