Today’s Warm-Up Thursday 12/12 Today is Firm Deadline! Today’s Question: Describe how tornados form (hint: you need to also describe how thunderheads form) Answer in 3-5 complete sentences

Hurricane Notes

Hurricanes Hurricane: a large tropical cyclonic storm with winds over 119 km/h Often 600 km across or higher (can be seen from space!) Also called cyclones and typhoons

How Hurricanes Form Form over oceans in the tropical regions (between 30° north and 30° south of equator) Hurricanes form as a “tropical disturbance” (low pressure area cyclone) over warm ocean water Can grow into a tropical storm Tropical storm can grow into a hurricane!

Hurricanes draw heat energy from warm humid air at ocean’s surface Strong winds drawn inwards to low pressure center (“eye”)

Hurricanes can last for weeks and can travel great distances Hurricane damage includes high winds, heavy precipitation, high waves (storm surge), flooding Hurricane safety: EVACUATE!

Hurricane Strength Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS) Like tornados, severe hurricanes becoming more common with climate change

Atlantic Hurricane Season In the US, hurricane season is August – October Hurricanes start over the Atlantic Ocean and move west striking the Gulf Coast or East Coast

Hurricane Names Hurricanes are so large and devastating, the World Meteorological Society gives them names! Names make it easier to communicate about the storms as several may be happening at once WMO creates a list of names to use based on the alphabet Famous US hurricanes: Sandy (2012), Katrina (2005), Ivan (2004)