1. Hurricanes

2. What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, the general term for all circulating weather systems over tropical waters Hurricanes rotate counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

3. When Is Hurricane Season? June 1 st through November 31 st.

4. Hurricane Facts: uTropical storms need warm water(at least 80 degrees) to grow uThe warm water evaporates into the storm, releasing the stored heat energy when it condenses uThe average hurricane uses as much energy in a day as the entire US in 6 months

5. More Hurricane Facts… uHurricanes help maintain the heat balance of the Earth uHurricanes move with large currents of air in the atmosphere. The direction of the storm is not altered by land masses. uHurricanes can not be stopped with nuclear weapons or cloud seeding

6. What conditions must be present for a hurricane to develop? Warm ocean temperatures (>80˚ F) up to 60m deep Little to no wind shear Low pressure system at least 5˚ North or South of Equator Rotation caused by winds

7. Statistics Each year, on average, 10 tropical storms, of which six become hurricanes, develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean; however, about five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years. Of these five, two will be major hurricanes, category 3 or greater on the Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Scale

8. Hurricane Anatomy

10. Comparison of Terms Tropical Disturbance Group of thunderstorms in the tropics that are present for at least 24 hours Tropical Wave Lack of circulation, winds <25 mph and every direction Tropical Depression Closed circulation but disorganized, winds at least 25 mph

11. Comparison of Terms Tropical Storm Shower and thunderstorm moves over closed circulation, winds greater than 39 mph Hurricane Eye is developed, winds > 74 mph

12. A Hurricane Maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western Pacific, hurricanes are called "typhoons," and similar storms in the Indian Ocean are called “cyclones” In the Atlantic, they are called “hurricanes”.

13. Compare the following…

14. By what two factors is hurricane strength measured? Wind Speed Barometric Pressure

15. What is the Scale Used to Categorize Hurricanes? Saffir-Simpson Scale CategoryMax Wind Speed (mph) Min. Surface Pressure (mb) Storm Surge m (ft) 174-96> 9801-1.7 (3-5) 297-111979-9651.8-2.6 (6-8) 3112-131964-9452.7-3.8 (9-12) 4132-155944-9203.9-5.6 (13-18) 5> 155< 920> 5.7 (>19) Source: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/hurricane/saffir-simpson.html

19. How do Hurricanes Destroy? 1. Wind 2. Rain 3. Storm Surge 4. Tornadoes

20. WIND

21. HEAVYRAINANDFLOODING

22. STORM SURGE

23. Southwest Florida averaged about two hurricanes per decade through 1960, but only near-misses since then!

24. Hurricane Season 2001 è1961 to 1999 were hurricane free èThe population of Southwest Florida is more than 8 times what it was in 1960! èMost of the new people live within 10 miles of the coast or tidal water! èNo one knows for sure what will happen with the next storm, which may come sooner than later, based on climate studies!

25. Why no Hurricanes? Luck and the Atlantic Ocean thermohaline conveyor belt!

26. Higher salt levels in the North Atlantic (1930s, 1940s & 1950s) cause the Atlantic currents to speed up, bringing more major hurricanes to the US Coast! Lower salt levels (1900-1925 and 1970-1994) cause the current to slow down and fewer major hurricanes impact the US Coast!

27. The Atlantic thermohaline conveyor belt circulation is moving quickly once again. This is likely the beginning of a 2 to 3 decade long period of increased hurricane landfalls on the US Coastline!

28. A LARGER RISK OF HURRICANES + MANY, MANY MORE PEOPLE = A BIGGER RISK THAN EVER!

43. 1930 - 2005

44. Costliest Storms in US History

45. 2006 NOAA Hurricane Outlook 9 of the last 11 Hurricane Seasons have been have been above normal

46. 2006 NOAA Hurricane Outlook 13 - 16 Named Storms ( 11 is the normal average – 28 in 2005) 8 - 10 Hurricanes ( 6 is the normal average – 15 hurricanes in 2005) 4 - 6 Major Hurricanes (Cat 3 or greater with winds 111 mph or greater) ( 2 is the normal average – 7 major in 2005)

47. 80% chance above normal, 15% chance near normal, 5% chance below normal

49. NOAA’s 2006 Seasonal Hurricane Outlooks Atlantic East Pacific Central Pacific Outlook Outlook Outlook Chance Above Normal 80% * 5% Chance Near Normal 15% 15% NA Chance Below Normal 5% 80% Tropical Storms 13-16 12-16 2-3 tropical systems Hurricanes 8-10 6-8 (includes tropical Major Hurricanes 4-6 1-3 depressions) ACE % of Median 135%-205% 45%-85% Categorical Above Below Below Outlook Normal Normal Normal * 80% is highest probability ever issued in a May Outlook 14

50. Hurricane Floyd

51. Hurricane Floyd (1999) caused massive flooding in North Carolina