Understanding Hurricanes and Tropical Cyclones

Hurricanes

Tropical storms in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific oceans

Cyclones

South Pacific and Indian Oceans

Typhoons

Northwest Pacific Oceans

Depression

38 mph winds

Tropical storm

39-73 mph winds

Cyclone

74-higher mph winds

Energy source for hurricanes

Tropical cyclones get their energy from warm tropical water

Effect of land on hurricanes

When hurricanes venture over land they lose their energy source, causing their winds to diminish rapidly.

North Atlantic hurricane season

Prime hurricane season is August - October, when tropical waters are the warmest

Coriolis effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects (like air currents or projectiles) due to the Earth's rotation

Cyclones and the equator

Cyclones cannot form near nor cross the equator because the Coriolis effect disappears there

Eye of a hurricane

The eye of a hurricane has the lowest pressures and lowest winds

Eyewall of a hurricane

The eyewall has the highest winds.

Saffir-Simpson Intensity Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Intensity Scale classifies hurricanes based on wind speed

Dropsonde

An instrument dropped from an aircraft into a hurricane to measure wind speed and direction, humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure

Storm surge

Hurricane winds can push water onshore, causing severe coastal flooding, this is called a storm surge

Deadliest hazard of hurricanes

Storm Surges

Nor'easters

Nor'easters form when cold arctic air collides with and lifts warm, moist air above the Gulf Stream

Differences between hurricanes and nor'easters

Source of energy: While both rely on warm water, nor'easters require a cold front (cold core) that lifts the warm moist air; Location: Nor'easters form in the north Atlantic; hurricanes form in the tropics; Snow: Only nor'easters bring snow; Season: Nor'easters are most common in winter, hurricanes occur in the late summer; Front: Unlike extratropical cyclones, tropical cyclones are not associated with fronts; A distinct eye: Though they rotate, nor'easters rarely form a distinct eye.

1991 Perfect Storm

The making of the Perfect Storm in 1991. It was a combination of a cold front, a hurricane and a nor'easter

Hurricane safety practices

Gather food, water, emergency supplies, and prescription drugs because a hurricane/loss of electricity may last for a while. If your house uses an electrical water pump, fill a bathtub with water (good for drinking and flushing); Bring in all outside furniture and consider taping up windows to prevent shattering; Put all of your valuables into clear plastic bags or watertight bin; Shelter in place as with a tornado; Evacuate if mandatory or you live in a mobile home, high rise, or area prone to a storm surge; If evacuating, go early to avoid traffic, find hotel occupancies, and have time to change plans.

Hurricane to typhoon

Yes, if they enter the designated area where the name changes