1. Chapter 12 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
Part 4. Disturbances
Chapter 12
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

2. Introduction
Hurricanes are responsible for astonishing amounts of property damage and loss of life in many regions of the world
Propagation of
Hurricane Andrew
Andrew caused major damage in Florida and Louisiana

3. Hurricanes around the globe
Atlantic - hurricanes
Western Pacific – typhoons – highest frequency region
Indian Ocean and Australia – cyclones
South Atlantic - almost none

4. Tropical cyclone genesis areas and related storm tracks

5. The tropical setting where tropical storms usually form
Subsidence (trade wind) inversion on the east side of the subtropical highs traps cooler, moist air (marine layer) at the ocean surface
On the western sides of the ocean basins, the marine layer tends to be warmer and thicker due to higher ocean temperatures -- more hurricanes tend to develop here

6. Tropical cyclone structure
Hurricane characteristics
Sustained winds greater than 120 km/hr (74 mph)
Average diameter = 600 km (350 mi)
Central pressure = ~ 950 mb to 870 mb

8. Vertical temperature profile across a hurricane
Hurricane eye
-- average diameter = 25 km (15 miles)
-- area of descending air
-- strongest winds in eye wall (clouds just outside eye)
Hurricane eye

9. Tropical cyclone
air trajectories with
height

10. The double eye wall of Hurricane Emily
Hurricane with a double eye wall (occurs near maximum strength)
eye walls

11. Hot tower in Hurricane Rita
A hot tower is a part of the eye wall that rises to great height (up to 36 km); it can indicate hurricane strengthening

12. Hurricane Formation Steps in the formation of hurricanes
Tropical disturbance associated with an easterly wave in the upper air winds
Tropical depression -- at least one closed isobar
Tropical storm -- winds greater than 37 mph
Hurricane (typhoon, cyclone) -- winds greater than 74 mph

13. An easterly wave

14. Conditions Necessary for Hurricane Formation
Warm ocean water (> 77oF)
Latent heat release
Most frequent in late summer and early autumn
Formation equatorward of 5o
Unstable atmosphere without vertical shear
Once formed – self-propagating system until it runs out of warm water

15. Erratic hurricane path examples
Hurricane paths are controlled by trade winds, upper air flow, air pressure systems and ocean temperatures; they can be quite erratic.

16. After it came onshore, hurricane Camille
merged with a
frontal cyclone along a stationary front, causing massive loss of life and property damage due to heavy rains and flooding.

18. Predominant Atlantic hurricane paths

21. Hurricane Destruction and Fatalities are caused by several factors:
Wind
Heavy rain
Tornadoes
Right front quadrant
Storm surge
Rise in water level associated with pressure drop

22. Wind speed variations by quadrant

23. Blown sand from Hurricane Katrina

24. Average tornado locations relative to hurricane storm center

25. Atlantic hurricane frequencies

26. End of Chapter 12 Understanding Weather and Climate 4th Edition Edward Aguado and James E. Burt