Hurricanes
Key Points Hurricane Stages Hurricane Formation Parts of a Hurricane Effects of a Hurricane
Tropical Depression: a low-pressure system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum wind speeds of 38 mi/hr. Tropical Storm: a low-pressure system that starts near the equator and has winds that blow at between 39-73 mi/hr. Hurricane: a tropical low-pressure system with winds blowing at speeds of 74 mi/hr or more. Can also be called typhoons or cyclones
Formation of Hurricanes In Eastern US hurricanes strike between August and October (water temps must be (80 degrees F or more) Energy from warm water is needed for a low-pressure center to build into a tropical storm then into a hurricane.
Steps of hurricane formation Warm ocean water provides energy for the hurricane. Winds coming together force air upward Winds flow outward above the storm Humid air rising makes the clouds of the storm. Light winds outside the hurricane steer it and let it grow.
MOVEMENT OF A HURRICANE Move westward with tradewinds. Near land will move north, south or back east. As long as above warm water can grow bigger and more powerful. Loses energy as it hits land because it is cooler and cant get the humid air from the warm water.
Eye: center of hurricane that is clear and calm because air is moving downward. Eyewall: surrounds the eye air moves quickly and upward. Forms tall ring of cumulonimbus clouds. Heavy rains and high winds Parts of a Hurricane
Effects of Hurricanes Huge coastal waves Strong winds Heavy rains Produce tornadoes Flooding Storm surge: pushes a huge mass of ocean water
Shallow-Water Coastline Deep-Water Coastline
A storm formed near the equator with winds at least 65 mi/hr is a: Tropical Depression Tropical Storm Hurricane Tornado
Which of the following is NOT the same as a hurricane? Typhoon Hurricane Cyclone Tropical Storm
Which of the following statements is NOT true about hurricanes? They are a low-pressure system They move eastward with the Tradewinds Lose energy when they hit land Have winds of at least 120 mi/hr
As long as hurricanes are ______ they will continue to grow bigger and stronger. Above warm water High pressure Traveling east Over dry land
The ocean water must be at least _______ for a hurricane to form. 70º 75º 80º 85º
Why do hurricanes lose energy when they hit land? Because there is higher pressure Because there is lower pressure Because it is warmer Because it is cooler
This is where we find the heaviest rains and strongest winds. Western side of the storm Eastern side of the storm The eye of the storm The eyewall of the storm
Why is the eye of the storm clear and calm? Because the air is moving downward Because the air is moving upward The eye is not calm Because this is a low pressure storm
When the air is moving quickly upward, creating cumulonimbus clouds that produce the strongest winds and rain, this is the… Eye Eyewall Stormwall Tropical Storm
True or False? Hurricanes can produce tornadoes.
______________ pushes a huge mass of ocean water. Eye Eyewall Storm surge Cumulonimbus clouds