1. What is a hurricane?
Hurricanes begin as tropical disturbances in warm ocean waters with surface temperatures of at
least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.5 degrees Celsius). These low pressure systems are fed by
energy from the warm seas. If a storm achieves wind speeds of 38 miles (61 kilometers) an hour,
it becomes known as a tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a tropical storm, and
is given a name, when its sustained wind speeds top 39 miles (63 kilometers) an hour. When a
storm’s sustained wind speeds reach 74 miles (119 kilometers) an hour it becomes a hurricane
2. Define a hurricane?
Hurricanes are giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles (257
kilometers) an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons (9 trillion liters) of rain a day.
3. Where do typhoons occur?
Typhoons occur in the Western Pacific Ocean.
4. Where do cyclones occur?
Cyclones usually form in the tropical regions of the globe, and to their formation in maritime
tropical air masses. Cyclones occur in the northern Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
5. Where do most hurricanes develop and why?
Hurricanes develop in the tropical regions. They develop from a storm system that is
characterized by low pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds
and heavy rain. Tropical Cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released
as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in moist air.
6. What are the characteristics of the hurricane eye?
The hurricane eye is down drafts of dry air that create a strangely calm area called the eye.
7. Describe the characteristics of the eye wall?
Bands of rain within 300 miles meet in the eye wall. It is the most violent section where winds
up to 200 miles per hour spiral upward within the center of the hurricane.
8. What is TRMM? What role do “Hot Towers” play in hurricanes?
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. TRMM is a joint space mission between NASA and the
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (SAXA) designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall. It
refers to both the mission itself and the satellite that the mission uses to collect data. They
watch the rainfall from space.
The towering high clouds in a hurricanes eye wall.
9. Briefly explain how Hot Towers form?
Hot tower clouds are associated with tropical cyclone intensification. Hot Towers as a rain cloud
that reaches at least to the top of the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere. These
towers are called “Hot” because they rise to such altitudes due to the large amount of latent
heat. Water vapor releases this latent heat as it condenses into a liquid.
10. What are feeder bands?
In tropical parlance, the lines or bands of thunderstorms that spiral into and around the center
of a tropical system. A typical hurricane may have three or more of these bands. They occur in
advance of the main rain shield and are usually 40 to 80 miles apart. In thunderstorm
development, they are the lines or a band of low-level clouds that move or feed into the updraft
region of a thunderstorm.
11. Describe in your own words the dangerous characteristics of hurricanes?
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Dangers caused by hurricanes would be the high crashing waves, and the rising sea level (storm
surge), along with strong winds and driving rain, severe flooding that can quickly wash away
buildings or anything near the shore. Flying debris thrown by the waves or wind.
What are some of the dangerous effects of hurricanes?
High winds can easily destroy homes and buildings. Debris such as sign and broken materials can
become airborne and penetrate just about anything with missile-like force. Heavy rainfall can
last for days long and produce floods that will destroy homes. Storm surges can cause damage
such as highway destruction from the strong waves.
What are some of the Technologies that meteorologist use to predict hurricanes?
TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission Satellite, VORTRAC, Doppler weather Radar, Data
Buoys, Aircraft Reconnaissance, Saffir-Simpson Scale.
What are Hurricane hunters?
Hurricane hunters are special planes that fly directly into the monster storm and drops sensors
to measure wind and speed, temperature and air pressure providing clues to determine the
direction of the hurricane.
What are the dropwindsone and what do they do?
Dropwindsone data (profile of wind, temperature, pressure) radar data (rainfall) collected from
air craft and other data about the cloud structure.
What is the difference between a hurricane warning and a hurricane watch?
Hurricane watch- hurricane related hazard poses possible threat within 36 hours.
Hurricane warning- hurricane is expected to make a landfall within 24 hours or less.