Hurricanes

Cyclone

Low pressure area with rotating winds.

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone in Atlantic and eastern Pacific.

Extratropical Cyclone

Forms over land or water in temperate regions.

Tropical Cyclone

Forms over warm ocean waters, has warm core.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Classifies hurricanes based on wind speed.

Hurricane Sandy

Largest Atlantic hurricane, caused extensive damage.

Nor'easter

Extraterrestrial cyclone along the U.S. East Coast.

Typhoon

Tropical cyclone in Pacific west of International Dateline.

Cyclone (Indian Ocean)

Tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean.

Tropical Depression

Weakest stage of tropical cyclone with low winds.

Tropical Storm

Stronger than depression, winds 39-73 mph.

Hurricane Formation

Occurs over warm waters at 5°-20° latitude.

Hurricane Dissipation

Weakens when moving over cooler waters or land.

Cyclone Characteristics

Defined by intensity, wind speed, and core temperature.

Cyclone Movement

Typically forms, matures, and dissipates independently.

Cyclone Forecasting Difficulty

Unpredictable behavior due to complex atmospheric conditions.

Cyclone Damage

Causes flooding, erosion, and power outages.

Cyclone Warnings

Alerts for potential cyclone impacts on regions.

Cyclone Benefits

Can provide rainfall and replenish water supplies.

Geographic Regions at Risk

Areas prone to hurricanes and extratropical cyclones.

Storm Surge

Rise in sea level due to cyclone winds.

Latent Heat

Energy released during water vapor condensation.

Cyclone Energy Source

Derived from warm ocean water and temperature contrasts.

Retired Storm Names

Names of significant storms removed from lists.

Naming Cyclones

Names assigned when winds exceed 63 km/h.

Cyclone Effects

Impact varies between coastal and inland areas.

Cyclone Adjustments

Measures to minimize damage and injuries.

Tropical Cyclones

Large thunderstorms rotating around low pressure areas.

Extratropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones transforming over land or cooler waters.

Tropical Disturbance

Organized thunderstorms persisting over 24 hours.

Coriolis Effect

Weak rotation in tropical disturbances due to Earth's rotation.

Tropical Depression

Increased wind speeds and spinning low pressure center.

Tropical Storm

Winds reach 63 km/h; storm receives a name.

Hurricane

Classified when winds exceed 119 km/h.

Warm Ocean Water

At least 26°C, extends to 46 m depth.

Vertical Temperature Gradient

Atmosphere cools quickly with increasing altitude.

Vertical Wind Shear

Strong winds aloft that inhibit hurricane development.

Rain Bands

Spiraling clouds increasing in intensity towards center.

Eyewall

Innermost cloud band with highest winds and rainfall.

Eye

Calm center of the hurricane, varies in diameter.

Hot Towers

Intense updrafts in eyewall before storm intensification.

Hurricane Behavior

Warm moist air spirals upward, releasing latent heat.

Latent Heat

Heat released during condensation, fueling storm growth.

Coriolis Effect in Hurricanes

Storms deflect to the right in Northern Hemisphere.

Hurricane Movement

Steered by Coriolis effect and steering winds.

Bermuda High

Influences hurricane paths in the North Atlantic.

Energy Loss Over Land

Hurricanes lose energy when moving over land.

Extratropical Cyclone Formation

Occurs when hurricanes weaken over land or cooler water.

Temperature Gradient

Necessary for extratropical cyclone formation at surface.

Jet Stream

Upper level winds aiding in cyclone development.

Polar Jet Stream

Affects weather patterns and cyclone movement.

Subtropical Jet Stream

Provides strong upper level winds for cyclones.

Tropical Cyclone Names

Assigned based on intensity and location.

Hurricane Diameter

Eye diameters range from 5 to over 60 km.

Squall Lines

Lines of convection contributing to tropical disturbances.

Jet Streams

High-altitude winds influencing weather patterns.

High-Pressure Ridge

Area of high atmospheric pressure causing stability.

Low-Pressure Trough

Area of low atmospheric pressure leading to instability.

Cyclones

Low-pressure systems causing stormy weather.

Polar Jet Stream

Cold jet stream affecting mid-latitude weather.

Subtropical Jet Stream

Warm jet stream influencing southern weather patterns.

Pineapple Express

Warm moist air flow from tropics to West Coast.

Nor'easters

Storms formed by merging jet streams off the U.S. East Coast.

Occluded Front

Boundary formed when cold air traps warm air aloft.

Conveyor Belt

Air circulation pattern feeding cyclones with moisture.

Warm Front

Boundary where warm air rises over cold air.

Cold Front

Boundary where cold air displaces warm air.

Frontal Boundary

Interface between different air masses.

Geographic Regions at Risk

Areas prone to cyclonic activity and hurricanes.

Eastern Contiguous United States

Most cyclone-prone region in North America.

Hurricane Tracks

Paths hurricanes take from formation to landfall.

Northwest Pacific

Region with high hurricane activity.

Coriolis Effect

Force causing rotation of weather systems.

Hurricane Season

Period of increased hurricane activity, June to November.

Extratropical Cyclones

Cyclones forming outside tropical regions.

Tropical Cyclone Formation

Occurs in warm ocean waters, typically summer.

Hurricane Paths

Three main tracks hurricanes follow toward land.

Warm Air Wedge

Warm air forced upward by cold air.

Pressure Gradient

Difference in atmospheric pressure causing wind.

Divergence in Jet Streams

Separation of jet streams leading to cyclone development.

Moisture Feed

Supply of moisture to cyclones from warm air.

Active Hurricane Zones

Regions with frequent hurricane occurrences.

Tropical Cyclones

Storm systems forming over warm ocean waters.

Extratropical Cyclones

Storms forming outside tropical regions, often in winter.

Storm Surge

Local sea level rise due to storm winds.

Flooding

Overflow of water onto normally dry land.

High Winds

Strong gusts associated with cyclones.

Heavy Rains

Significant rainfall leading to potential flooding.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Classification system for hurricane wind speeds.

Fetch

Distance over which wind blows on water.

Coastal Erosion

Loss of coastal land due to wave action.

Mass Wasting

Downhill movement of soil and rock due to gravity.

Inland Flooding

Flooding occurring away from coastlines.

Overwash Channels

Channels formed by storm surge flooding.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns.

Tornadoes

Violently rotating columns of air extending from storms.

Blizzards

Severe snowstorms with strong winds.

Downbursts

Strong downdrafts that cause damaging winds.

Nutrient-Rich Waters

Deep ocean waters brought to surface by waves.

Population Growth

Increase in the number of people in an area.