Hurricanes Hurricane Ivan: 9/15/04

What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a “violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic”

Evolution of a Tropical Cyclone Tropical cyclones begin as an area of low pressure (thunderstorms) and develop into larger storms over time. 3 Levels of Evolution Tropical Depression Tropical Storm Hurricane

Tropical Depressions The first main stage of a tropical cyclone’s development Classified as a depression when an area of storms has a closed center of circulation Not very organized, usually just a blob of thunderstorms rotating around a center Winds < 39 mph

Tropical Storm Ernesto (2006) Tropical Storms The second stage of tropical development Upgraded to tropical storm status based on wind speed Somewhat organized, heavy rain and thunderstorms present Winds 39 – 73 mph Tropical Storm Ernesto (2006)

Hurricanes The final stage of tropical development Fast winds, larger size, impressive pictures! Highly organized, heavy rain and thunderstorms present all around the center Winds 74+ mph Rated using the Saffir-Simpson Scale Hurricane Alex (June 2010)

The Saffir-Simpson Scale

Major Hurricanes Any hurricane classified Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale Major damage potential High Winds Storm Surge Flooding Rains Potential Tornadoes The deadliest of hurricanes if it hits land

How do hurricanes form?

Ingredients for strong hurricanes Warm water! At least 80o F Light winds aloft Strong winds at high levels of the atmosphere shred hurricanes by blowing the clouds away Time to develop Hurricanes ONLY get stronger while over water. The warmer the water and lighter the upper-level winds, the faster they strengthen

How do Hurricanes get named? When a Tropical Depression becomes a Tropical Storm, it gets a name. The storm retains this name until it is no longer considered a tropical cyclone Names alternate male-female throughout the year Even-numbered years begin with a male name, odd-numbered years begin with a female Names are reused every 6 years If all names get used in one season, the Greek alphabet is used (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc.) Deadly or catastrophic storm names get retired Andrew, Bob, Hugo, Ivan, Katrina, Sandy, etc.

The official list of names! 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vance Whitney Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda

Who forecasts Hurricanes? The National Hurricane Center, a division of the National Weather Service, is the official forecaster of all tropical cyclones in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans The “NHC” is located in Miami, Florida Visit www.nhc.noaa.gov (official website)

How are these storms monitored? The NHC uses many different satellites to monitor the oceans for tropical development. Buoys, ships, and planes also gather data When a storm forms, the Air Force Hurricane Hunters fly into the storm Usually only when the storm is nearing land When a storm is within 200 miles of land, RADAR can be used as well

Hurricane Ike: Visible Satellite (9/11/08)

Hurricane Ike: Infrared Satellite (9/12/08)

Hurricane Ike: Radar Image (9/13/08)

Hurricane Ike Storm Surge

Hurricane Ike at the Shoreline

Hurricane Ike Aftermath

Hurricane Ike Aftermath

Famous Landfalling Hurricanes “Galveston 1900” Camille Andrew Opal Bob Hugo Gloria Ike Ivan Rita Wilma Katrina Floyd Dennis Charley Georges Isabel Gustav Frances Jeanne Fabian

Hurricane Research: Project and Presentation When was it? (month, year) Where did it hit/impact? How strong was it at its peak? (mph and category) How many people died as a direct result of the storm? How much damage (in dollars) did it cause when it hit? You MUST include many pictures (at least 1 per slide) and a WORKS CITED slide.