Weather Phenomena By: Eleanor Joyce City of Salem Schools

Hurricane activity in the United States.

Satellite view of a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea

Winds are breezy at the edge of the storm and increase to a maximum in the eyewall. Winds are relatively light in the ‘eye’ itself. Parts of the storm

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Table Sustained Storm Resulting Sustained Storm Resulting Winds Surge Damage Winds Surge Damage Category mph 4-5ft Trees/Power Down Category mph 6-8ft Sign, roof & building damage Category mph 9-12ft Widespread damage/flooding Category mph 13-18ft Buildings destroyed/damaged Category mph 19+ft Catastrophic damage/flooding Categories 3,4 & 5 are major hurricanes!

Tropical storms need warm water(at least 80 degrees) to grow The average hurricane uses as much energy in a day as the entire US in 6 months Hurricanes can not be stopped with nuclear weapons or cloud seeding Hurricane Facts

1. Wind 2. Rain 3. Storm Surge 4. Tornadoes Why are hurricanes so destructive?

Wind damage

No Utilities

Including lights, air conditioning, refrigeration, cooking, fans, television, stoplights, gasoline pumps, computers, clocks, banks (ATMs), freezers, refrigerators. Water and sewage treatment centers are also disabled. This creates major health problems. Getting drinking water is a problem No Utilities

HEAVYRAINANDFLOODING

IT RAINS ONE INCH PER HOUR Slow moving storms can easily dump inches of rain over a wide area. Debris clogs sewers and drainage ways. Flood waters contaminate drinking water High water forces insects, snakes and other wild animals to higher ground (your home). Flood damage not covered by home owners insurance.

Low pressure and converging winds raise sea levels under the hurricane. When the hurricane makes landfall, so does the higher sea level. Powerful waves ride on top of the surge. Storm surge destroys coastal buildings and inundates barrier islands. Storm surge can travel well inland through harbors, rivers, creeks and canals. Storm surge is responsible for the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in US history, Galveston Is. Storm Surge

Tornadoes Hurricanes often create tornadoes bringing even more severe damage to regions struck by hurricanes

Regions in the U. S that are in “tornado alley.”

Tornadoes are called funnel clouds usgs photo

Map of South Asia and Southeast Asia showing the wind patterns of the winter and summer monsoons

Working in the rice paddies Residents of Asia and Southeast Asia depend on the Monsoon rains to grow rice.

Bangladesh is often flooded during the monsoon season