1. Hurricanes
Hurricane Ivan: 9/15/04

2. What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a “violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic”

3. Evolution of a Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclones begin as an area of low pressure (thunderstorms) and develop into larger storms over time.
3 Levels of Evolution
Tropical Depression
Tropical Storm
Hurricane

4. Tropical Depressions
The first main stage of a tropical cyclone’s development
Classified as a depression when an area of storms has a closed center of circulation
Not very organized, usually just a blob of thunderstorms rotating around a center
Winds < 39 mph

5. Tropical Storm Ernesto (2006)
Tropical Storms
The second stage of tropical development
Upgraded to tropical storm status based on wind speed
Somewhat organized, heavy rain and thunderstorms present
Winds 39 – 73 mph
Tropical Storm Ernesto (2006)

6. Hurricanes The final stage of tropical development
Fast winds, larger size, impressive pictures!
Highly organized, heavy rain and thunderstorms present all around the center
Winds 74+ mph
Rated using the Saffir-Simpson Scale
Hurricane Alex (June 2010)

7. The Saffir-Simpson Scale

8. Major Hurricanes
Any hurricane classified Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale
Major damage potential
High Winds
Storm Surge
Flooding Rains
Potential Tornadoes
The deadliest of hurricanes if it hits land

9. How do hurricanes form?

10. Ingredients for strong hurricanes
Warm water!
At least 80o F
Light winds aloft
Strong winds at high levels of the atmosphere shred hurricanes by blowing the clouds away
Time to develop
Hurricanes ONLY get stronger while over water.
The warmer the water and lighter the upper-level winds, the faster they strengthen

11. How do Hurricanes get named?
When a Tropical Depression becomes a Tropical Storm, it gets a name.
The storm retains this name until it is no longer considered a tropical cyclone
Names alternate male-female throughout the year
Even-numbered years begin with a male name, odd-numbered years begin with a female
Names are reused every 6 years
If all names get used in one season, the Greek alphabet is used (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc.)
Deadly or catastrophic storm names get retired
Andrew, Bob, Hugo, Ivan, Katrina, Sandy, etc.

12. The official list of names!
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas
Virginie
Walter
Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy
Vance
Whitney
Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William
Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy
Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred
Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda

13. Who forecasts Hurricanes?
The National Hurricane Center, a division of the National Weather Service, is the official forecaster of all tropical cyclones in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans
The “NHC” is located in Miami, Florida
Visit (official website)

14. How are these storms monitored?
The NHC uses many different satellites to monitor the oceans for tropical development.
Buoys, ships, and planes also gather data
When a storm forms, the Air Force Hurricane Hunters fly into the storm
Usually only when the storm is nearing land
When a storm is within 200 miles of land, RADAR can be used as well

15. Hurricane Ike: Visible Satellite (9/11/08)

16. Hurricane Ike: Infrared Satellite (9/12/08)

17. Hurricane Ike: Radar Image (9/13/08)

18. Hurricane Ike Storm Surge

19. Hurricane Ike at the Shoreline

20. Hurricane Ike Aftermath

21. Hurricane Ike Aftermath

22. Famous Landfalling Hurricanes
“Galveston 1900”
Camille
Andrew
Opal
Bob
Hugo
Gloria
Ike
Ivan
Rita
Wilma
Katrina
Floyd
Dennis
Charley
Georges
Isabel
Gustav
Frances
Jeanne
Fabian

23. Hurricane Research: Project and Presentation
When was it? (month, year)
Where did it hit/impact?
How strong was it at its peak? (mph and category)
How many people died as a direct result of the storm?
How much damage (in dollars) did it cause when it hit?
You MUST include many pictures (at least 1 per slide) and a WORKS CITED slide.