Description

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones, which are warm-core, low-pressure systems which develop over tropical or subtropical waters, and have organized circulation. Hurricanes can be known under a few different names:

Hurricanes are formed in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basin.

Typhoons are formed in the Western Pacific Ocean basin.

Cyclones are formed in the Indian Ocean basin.

The term “hurricane” has origins in several different civilizations. The Mayan storm god was named Hunraken. The Taino people of the Caribbean considered their storm god, Huracan, to be evil. Regardless of where the Hurricane is formed, the potential for loss of life and destruction of property is enormous.

Tropical cyclones, as we have discussed, gain their power from the sea, when warm tropical ocean and moist atmosphere mix and are steered by strong winds. Science has determined some specific requirements needed for a tropical storm to form: such as the warmth of the water to a certain depth, moist atmosphere conditions, close distance to the equator, surface disturbance, and low values of vertical wind shear.

Hurricanes are most known for their destructive winds but it is their effect on the ocean beneath that can be most catastrophic to property and life. Storm surge is the water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds in the storm. These surges, along with regular tides, can reach up to 15 feet and cause massive damage to coastlines and interior settlements. You can see aerial images of the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy HERE

The ocean provides us with life and resources but can also be a very dangerous force.

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Task

Complete the Follow that Hurricane activity, which is attached on the right-hand side of the screen under "Resources"

What you will need:

• Copy of the "Western Atlantic Hurricane Tracking Chart." To download one yourself, go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, scroll down the page to the blank tracking charts and click on the Western Atlantic one.
• pencil and eraser
• A record of hurricane locations from the National Hurricane Center, or from historical hurricane records; records from four famous hurricanes are found in the assignment PDF

Once you have completed the activity, take a picture of your map and share it in the Video Gallery.

To take the Weather and Climate Quiz, click HERE

To go back to the Weather and Climate page, click THIS

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Learning Objectives

To understand the circumstances that create tropical cyclones, and how the influence creates and is influenced by these tropical storms

To experience an example of how meteorologists study storms and why it is important to understand how these storms work

To recognize the importance of being prepared if you live in an area that could be threatened by a hurricane

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