Hurricanes What is a hurricane Hurricanes are tropical

Hurricanes

What is a hurricane? �Hurricanes are tropical cyclones. �They form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean. �Their winds spiral outward in a counterclockwise, circulation pattern.

What conditions must exist for a hurricane to form? �Low to medium winds blowing in the same direction � 5– 30 degrees north of the equator in the ocean �Ocean surface temperature of greater than 80 F (27 C) that extends down to about 150 feet deep (50 m) �Lower atmosphere must be moist

How do hurricanes form? �The air mass above the tropical waters takes on the temperature and humidity of the water beneath it. �Incoming winds force the air upward. �The warm, moist air rises, forming water vapor and clouds. �Above the storm, the winds flow outward. �Outside winds blow inward, and the cycle repeats.

How do hurricanes move? �Hurricanes turn to the right, away from the equator, because of the Coriolis effect caused by Earth’s rotation.

Where does the energy for a hurricane originate? �The Sun heats the oceans more in the equatorial regions. �The air above the ocean is warmed. �Warm air rises, and as it cools, it releases energy, fueling the hurricane.

Where do hurricanes form and why? �In tropical areas because the temperature of the oceans is warm enough. �The Sun heats the lower latitude oceans more than the higher latitude oceans. �The area is closer to the equator.

Why don’t hurricanes form in higher latitudes? �The temperature of the oceans is not warm enough. �The Sun does not heat the higher latitude oceans as much as the lower latitude oceans. �The distance is too far from the equator.

Hurricane Katrina

Reflective Question How do oceans play a role in the development of weather systems including hurricanes?