Storms

What are Storms? Regional atmospheric disturbances characterized by strong winds often accompanied by precipitation What is our focus? –Cyclones and Anticyclones

Cyclones vs. Anticyclones Cyclones – low pressure areas - are huge rotating masses of low-pressure air in which winds converge and ascend. Winds blow counterclockwise in the N. Hemisphere and clockwise in the S. Hemisphere Anticyclones - also known as a high pressure area -- is a large atmospheric circulation system with the wind flowing clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

Tropical Cyclones Great masses of warm, humid rotating air Occur in all tropical oceans except the equatorial South Atlantic Large tropical cyclones are called: – Hurricanes (N. Atlantic and eastern Pacific) –Typhoons (western Pacific –Tropical Cyclones (Indian Ocean) –Willy-willies (Australia)

HURRICANES – NATURE’S FURY!!!

Check these out… You’d probably want to evacuate at this point…

What kind of damage are we talkin’ about here? Might want to take the detour…

Ok, So What Exactly Is a Hurricane? A hurricane can best be described as a huge tropical cyclone (up to 600 miles in diameter)! Winds can be up to 200 mph! Storm usually doesn’t last for more than 7-10 days. It moves across the ocean at around mph…not too fast really! The winds are the strongest around the eye wall. They eye of the storm is usually about 20 miles in diameter. Within the eye, winds are calm and the weather is great. Strongest winds are on the right side, heaviest rain is usually on the left side. Arrows indicate “feeder bands” or “rain bands”

Scary…so when do I need to watch out for these things?? Since we’re in the USA, we’ll focus on what meteorologists call the “Atlantic Basin”. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The “hurricane season” is just a name for the time period when we expect to see tropical systems develop. The hurricane season for the Atlantic runs from June 1 st – November 30 th. Peak season is the middle part of September…why do you think this is?

So where are these “Atlantic Basin” Hurricanes forming??? Storms of the Atlantic basin will begin forming in one of three places: Off the coast of Africa In the Caribbean Sea In the Gulf of Mexico What is the ITCZ????

Intertropical Convergence Zone The ITCZ is an area of low pressure located roughly 5 degrees North and South of the Equator. It is a place where air converges, rises, and condenses (forming clouds). It is the rainiest place on Earth!

So What Does a Hurricane Need in Order to Develop? A hurricane needs warm water, time to grow, and favorable upper level winds in the troposphere. If the winds are too strong, they will blow the hurricane apart – we call that wind shear!

Feeder Bands “Clouds streaking out from the extreme edges of a hurricane are not to be ignored. We call them "feeder bands" because they are pulling moisture up from the ocean "feeding" the clouds of the storm. Typically a day or two after the hurricane has passed the remainder of the feeder bands will come ashore, dropping incredible amounts of rain.”

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 1 – Tropical Wave (Depression) Usually has begun its life off of the west coast of Africa in the ITCZ. Tropical depressions have winds of less than 39mph, and are not given a name. Lacks structure – no well developed feeder bands or eye

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 2 – Tropical Storm At this point, the tropical storm is beginning to develop some serious structure. Winds range from mph. In the Atlantic, storms are given a name when they reach this stage. Feeder bands are beginning to develop – you can see the center of the low pressure system more easily. Eye and eye wall still not well formed.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 3 – Category 1 Hurricane Winds range from mph. Well developed feeder bands. An eye begins to form (although it is covered in clouds). Storm is tightening around center.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 4 – Category 2 Hurricane Winds range from mph. Well developed feeder bands. An eye and eye wall are usually very well formed. Storm continues to tighten around center.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 5 – Category 3 Hurricane Winds range from mph. Now considered a “Major Storm”. Intense flooding and building damage will occur to most areas on the coast. Further inland, the damage will still be substantial.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 6 – Category 4 Hurricane Winds range from mph. All shrubs, signs and trees blown down. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the coast.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 7 – Category 5 Hurricane Winds greater than 156 mph! Complete roof failure on many residential and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles of the coastline maybe required. Katrina

Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity

Hurricane Naming System – Why do they have names anyway? In 1953 the National Weather Service began naming storms after women. In 1979, men’s names were added to the list of hurricane names. In the Atlantic, there are 6 lists of names that are recycled. In the case of storms so devastating that reusing the name is inappropriate, the name is taken off the list and another name is used to replace it. The name “Katrina” is one that will be removed from the list. This year’s list Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney

More cool stuff to check out…

Aftermath…

The Path of Hurricane Katrina

Aftermath…

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Vocabulary Cyclone Anticyclone Sea Breeze Land Breeze Coriolis Effect Hurricane Trade Winds Westerlies Monsoons Currents