How Hurricanes Work

1
How Hurricanes Work

• Roger Robertson
• Samuel Olson

2
Overview

• Hurricane season June 1st November 30th
• Also called cyclones or typhoons

3
Forming

• Forms in warm water
• Tropical Region
• Most Atlantic Hurricanes form off the west coast
  of Africa

http//science.howstuffworks.com/hurricane2.htm
4
Parts of a Hurricane

• Eye - the low pressure, calm center of
  circulation
• Eye wall - area around the eye with the fastest,
  most violent winds
• Rain bands - bands of thunderstorms circulating
  outward from the eye that are part of the
  evaporation/condensation cycle that feeds the
  storm

5
Stages

• Tropical depression - swirling clouds and rain
  with wind speeds of less than 38 mph
• Tropical storm - wind speeds of 39 to 73 mph
• Hurricane - wind speeds greater than 74 mph

6
Category Wind Speed Effects
1 74 to 95 mph Storm surge 4 to 5 ft above normal Some flooding Little or no structural damage
2 96 to 110 mph Storm surge 6 to 8 ft above normal Trees down Roof damage (shingles ripped off)
3 111 to 130 mph Storm surge 9 to 12 ft above normal Structural damage in houses Mobile homes destroyed Severe flooding
4 131 to 154 mph Storm surge 13 to 18 ft above normal Severe flooding inland Some roofs ripped off Major structural damage
5 gt155 mph Storm surge at least 18 ft above normal Severe flooding further inland Serious damage to most wooden structures
7
Weather Alerts

• Tropical-storm watch
• Tropical-storm warning
• Hurricane watch
• Hurricane warning