SorcererMickey
September 15th, 2004, 00:38
What is a Hurricane?
A Tropical Cyclone is a violent storm which forms over tropical or subtropical waters.
Hurricane is the name used for a Tropical Cyclone with sustained winds of 74mph or more in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and eastern North Pacific Ocean.
The name hurricane is derived from the Arawakan (original native inhabitants of the Caribbean islands) word "hurakan" meaning violent windstorm. Spanish colonists adopted it and was first used in English around 1560.
The same tropical cyclone is known as a typhoon in the Western Pacific and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.
How does a Hurricane form?
There are three necessary conditions for Hurricanes to form:
1 - The water temperature must be 80 degrees F in the upper 150 to 200 feet of the ocean.
2 - The air must be warm and humid.
3 - The winds must be weak with a difference of less than 20mph between upper and lower levels of the atmosphere.
In an area of low pressure where the air is thin, the evaporated ocean water and the warm air are able to collect and raise quickly into the upper levels of the atmosphere. Once the warm air and water vapor reach a certain height it cools, condenses and fall back to the ocean as rain water.
As the area of low pressure continues to move over the warn ocean water, more warm air and water vapor continue to rise, condense and fall, creating a cycle. As long as there is an ocean with warm water in it's path, the storm will continue to grow and gain strength.
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/hurricane-formation.gif
When do Hurricanes form?
Since hurricanes need warm water and air to form, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with August 15 to October 15 considered to be Peak Hurricane Activity.
What causes Tropical Cyclones to rotate?
The rotation of Tropical Cyclones is caused by the rotation of the Earth. On the Northern half of the Hemisphere, Tropical Cyclones rotate counterclockwise. On the Southern Hemisphere they rotate clockwise.
What are the different Hurricane Categories?
A Tropical Disturbance is a system of clouds, showers and thunderstorms which forms in the areas of the Earth known as tropical convergence zones and that last for more than 24 hours.
When a tropical disturbance develops closed circulation around a center of low pressure and contains sustained winds of 38mph, it is designated to be a Tropical Depression.
When winds exceed 38mph, and up to 73mph, it is designated as a Tropical Storm. At this point the National Hurricane Center assigns a name to it.
A hurricane has sustained winds of 74mph or more.
The Hurricane Categories are based on their wind speed and the destructive power those wind speeds have. It is also known as the Saffir-Simpson Scale. This scale was developed by Herbert Saffir, an engineer from Florida who studied wind damage to man made structures, and Robert Simpson, former director of the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm
Wind Speed: 39-73 mph
Surge: 0-3 feet above normal
Damage: Minimal
Category 1
Wind Speed: 74-95 mph
Surge: 4-5 feet above normal
Damage: Minimal damage to buildings and solid structures. some damage to unanchored mobile homes, signs, shrubbery and trees. Coastal road flooding and minor pier damage possible.
Category 2
Wind Speed: 96-110 mph
Surge: 6-8 feet above normal
Damage: Damage to some roofing materials, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes and vegetation.
Category 3
Wind Speed: 111-130 mph
Surge: 9-12 feet above normal
Damage: Some structural damage to small residences. Trees downed. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs destroyed.
Category 4
Wind Speed: 131-155 mph
Surge: 13-18 feet above normal
Damage: Some roofs collapse. Trees, shrubs and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
Category 5
Wind Speed: 155+ mph
Surge: 18+ feet above normal
Damage: Roofs collapse on many buildings. Some buildings may be blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
Satellite photo of Punta Gorda before Hurricane Charley
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/charley-damage-01.jpg
Satellite photo of Punta Gorda after Hurricane Charley
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/charley-damage-02.jpg
Where can I find more information about Hurricanes?
Here are some links with additional information about hurricanes and weather in general:
National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov/)
NOAA Satellites and Information (http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/) - Here you will find current and archived satellite images of hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons from around the world.
NOAA Magazine (http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/) - Additional stories, headlines and information about weather.
The Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/)
WESH.com Weather (http://www.wesh.com/weather/index.html)
A Tropical Cyclone is a violent storm which forms over tropical or subtropical waters.
Hurricane is the name used for a Tropical Cyclone with sustained winds of 74mph or more in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and eastern North Pacific Ocean.
The name hurricane is derived from the Arawakan (original native inhabitants of the Caribbean islands) word "hurakan" meaning violent windstorm. Spanish colonists adopted it and was first used in English around 1560.
The same tropical cyclone is known as a typhoon in the Western Pacific and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.
How does a Hurricane form?
There are three necessary conditions for Hurricanes to form:
1 - The water temperature must be 80 degrees F in the upper 150 to 200 feet of the ocean.
2 - The air must be warm and humid.
3 - The winds must be weak with a difference of less than 20mph between upper and lower levels of the atmosphere.
In an area of low pressure where the air is thin, the evaporated ocean water and the warm air are able to collect and raise quickly into the upper levels of the atmosphere. Once the warm air and water vapor reach a certain height it cools, condenses and fall back to the ocean as rain water.
As the area of low pressure continues to move over the warn ocean water, more warm air and water vapor continue to rise, condense and fall, creating a cycle. As long as there is an ocean with warm water in it's path, the storm will continue to grow and gain strength.
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/hurricane-formation.gif
When do Hurricanes form?
Since hurricanes need warm water and air to form, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with August 15 to October 15 considered to be Peak Hurricane Activity.
What causes Tropical Cyclones to rotate?
The rotation of Tropical Cyclones is caused by the rotation of the Earth. On the Northern half of the Hemisphere, Tropical Cyclones rotate counterclockwise. On the Southern Hemisphere they rotate clockwise.
What are the different Hurricane Categories?
A Tropical Disturbance is a system of clouds, showers and thunderstorms which forms in the areas of the Earth known as tropical convergence zones and that last for more than 24 hours.
When a tropical disturbance develops closed circulation around a center of low pressure and contains sustained winds of 38mph, it is designated to be a Tropical Depression.
When winds exceed 38mph, and up to 73mph, it is designated as a Tropical Storm. At this point the National Hurricane Center assigns a name to it.
A hurricane has sustained winds of 74mph or more.
The Hurricane Categories are based on their wind speed and the destructive power those wind speeds have. It is also known as the Saffir-Simpson Scale. This scale was developed by Herbert Saffir, an engineer from Florida who studied wind damage to man made structures, and Robert Simpson, former director of the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm
Wind Speed: 39-73 mph
Surge: 0-3 feet above normal
Damage: Minimal
Category 1
Wind Speed: 74-95 mph
Surge: 4-5 feet above normal
Damage: Minimal damage to buildings and solid structures. some damage to unanchored mobile homes, signs, shrubbery and trees. Coastal road flooding and minor pier damage possible.
Category 2
Wind Speed: 96-110 mph
Surge: 6-8 feet above normal
Damage: Damage to some roofing materials, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes and vegetation.
Category 3
Wind Speed: 111-130 mph
Surge: 9-12 feet above normal
Damage: Some structural damage to small residences. Trees downed. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs destroyed.
Category 4
Wind Speed: 131-155 mph
Surge: 13-18 feet above normal
Damage: Some roofs collapse. Trees, shrubs and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
Category 5
Wind Speed: 155+ mph
Surge: 18+ feet above normal
Damage: Roofs collapse on many buildings. Some buildings may be blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
Satellite photo of Punta Gorda before Hurricane Charley
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/charley-damage-01.jpg
Satellite photo of Punta Gorda after Hurricane Charley
http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/hurricanes/charley-damage-02.jpg
Where can I find more information about Hurricanes?
Here are some links with additional information about hurricanes and weather in general:
National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov/)
NOAA Satellites and Information (http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/) - Here you will find current and archived satellite images of hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons from around the world.
NOAA Magazine (http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/) - Additional stories, headlines and information about weather.
The Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/)
WESH.com Weather (http://www.wesh.com/weather/index.html)