Name: ____________________________________
Competency
4c – DOK 2
8th Grade –
Lesson 8.9
Period: ____
Examine weather forecasting and describe how meteorologists use
atmospheric features and technology to predict the weather.
I can explain the Saffir-Simpson Scale. I can predict where a
hurricane is likely to make landfall using a tracking map and wind
patterns.
Page
9
Key Points on Hurricane Tracking:
1. The strength of a hurricane is given using the Saffir-Simpson scale.
a. Storms are classified between a 1 and 5. Category 1 storms are the weakest
hurricanes and category 5 are the strongest.
b. Moving up in category brings stronger winds and larger storm surge.
1) Storm surge is caused when the wind of the hurricane pushes the water
onshore causing flooding.
c. There are two classifications that are weaker than hurricanes. Tropical
depressions are the weakest and tropical storms are the stage before
hurricanes.
2. Meteorologists track the position of hurricanes as they
move toward the U.S.
a. Satellite images and research planes find the
location (longitude and latitude) of the
hurricane and its wind speed.
3. A prediction for where the hurricane will go is shown
with an area of uncertainty on a tracking map.
a. This shows the possible locations of the hurricane
could go in 1 to 3 days. A second cone shows
possible locations in 4 to 5 days.
b. A hurricane can move outside of this area of uncertainty though there is a very
small chance of this.
c. This prediction is made based on wind patterns, pressure systems, and fronts.
1) Trade winds between 0° and 30° N blow westward, above 30° N westerlies
blow to the east.
Practice
Answer the following questions as a scientist would. Explain WHY using COMPLETE sentences!
1. What scale is used to describe the strength of hurricanes? Describe a category 5
hurricane.
2. What is storm surge?
3. How can scientists track the location of hurricanes?
4. What is an area of uncertainty?
Name: ____________________________________
5. Is it possible for a
hurricane to be
found outside of this
area of uncertainty?
6. A hurricane is found
at a latitude of 20°N.
What type of wind is
going to affect it and
which direction will it
most likely move?
Period: ____
Saffir – Simpson Scale
Category
Wind
Speed
(MPH)
1
74 – 95
2
96 – 110
3
111 – 130
4
131 – 155
5
156 and
up
Damage Description
No real damage to buildings. Damage
to unanchored mobile homes. Some
damage to poorly constructed signs.
Some damage to building roofs, doors,
and windows. Considerable damage
to mobile homes.
Some structural damage to small
homes and buildings. Large trees blow
down. Mobile homes and signs
destroyed.
Some structural damage to the roofs on
small residences.
Complete roof failure on many
residences and industrial buildings.
Some complete building failures with
small utility buildings blown over away.
Flooding causes major damage to
lower floors of all structures near the
shore.
Storm Surge
(ft)
4–5
6–8
9 – 12
13 – 18
> 18