A tsunami is a wave or series of waves generated at sea by the abrupt movement of a mass of seawater. This is usually caused by the sea floor moving suddenly. Tsunamis travel fast in the open ocean, reaching 700km per hour or more. Wind-generated waves travel at only 30 to 100km per hour Tsunamis can occur in any ocean, sea or large lake. Most occur in the Pacific Ocean, originating in the zone around the Pacific known as the Ring of Fire where there are frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YOXVlP news/japan-tsunami-2011-vin Uu4 Thunderstorms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a "dryline," which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours Tornado Alley= Kansas and the Great Plains https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/stormchasers/videos/tornado-near-miss.htm Blizzards occur in very Low temperatures ( usually below 20˚F) 35mph winds with zero visibility These conditions go on for 3 hours or more Deadliest Blizzard - The 1972 blizzard in Iran lasted from February 3rd to 9th and killed approximately 4000 people. In southern Iran, there was as much as 28 feet of snow. There were no survivors from the towns of Kakkan, Kumar or Sheklab. Closed, circular motion system rotating in same direction as Earth Spiraling winds, rotate CCW (N. Hemi) and CW (S. Hemi) Occur in areas of low pressure Extratropical: occur in mid latitudes; occur everyday and are the cyclones that drive most weather patterns that occur on Earth; 37 cyclones within 6 hr period Subtropical: broad wind patterns; no weather fronts connected to center; lower temps for formation; form from extratropical cyclones Tropical Cyclones: associated with numerous thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rain; center warmer than surroundings at any height in atmosphere (also referred to as hurricanes). https://www.history.com/topics/hurricanekatrina/videos/hurricanekatrina?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f =1&free=false What conditions are necessary for a hurricane to form? o Tropical cyclones form and intensify under specific set of necessary conditions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Warm ocean waters of at least 78°F (26°C) At least 5° latitude from the equator Low vertical wind shear Moisture in the mid-troposphere Unstable Conditions Pre-existing disturbance Where do most hurricanes develop on Earth? Why do they develop there? o Most develop either in the Caribbean or the Atlantic. Many of the worst start as seedlings coming off the coast of Africa. o They develop in these areas because the water is warm which feeds a storm with energy in order to form. What time of year is considered hurricane season? o Summer to Mid-Fall (June 1 to November 30) Birth o All hurricanes begin as an area of low pressure in the atmosphere. This low-pressure area is called a tropical disturbance. Childhood to Teenager o Once the system obtains a clearly identifiable circulation center, the system is upgraded to a tropical depression. If winds continue to intensify to greater than 39 mph, the system will be classified as a tropical storm. Adult o Once winds are sustained above 74mph, the system is officially upgraded to a hurricane. Adult o Once winds are sustained above 74mph, the system is officially upgraded to a hurricane. Old Age to Death o Once a hurricane makes landfall it can no longer extract heat from the ocean. Since the air masses over land are drier, less moisture is carried into the storm, cloud coverage lessens, and air is cooled and then sinks. What is the eye? o The relatively calm center in a hurricane that is at least halfway surrounded by clouds comprising the eyewall. The winds are light, the skies are partly cloudy or even clear. The eye diameter ranges typically from as small as 5 to 10 mi. When the eye is shrinking in size, the hurricane is generally intensifying. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Factors that cause damage Strong winds Storm surge Flooding Tornadoes Rip tides