Hurricane Katrina, August 25-30, 2005
The following activity follows the path of Hurricane Katrina as it moves from the
Atlantic Ocean into the Gulf and finally crosses the coastline of Louisiana. The data in
Table 1, taken from the National Hurricane Center, show the path of the storm from its
early development as a tropical storm to its rapid growth as a category 1 hurricane to
category 5. Maximum wind recorded near ground level for each time listed indicates the
strength of the storm. Table 2 provides the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which is the official
intensity scale for hurricane strength. Note that category 5 occurs when winds exceed 155
mph or 130 knots.
In this activity you will plot the positions of Hurricane Katrina for the week of August
24-31. Figure 2 shows the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the Gulf at the time of
Hurricane Katrina. The warmer the water, the more energy is available to tropical storms.
Objectives:
1. To use the NOAA Atlantic Hurricane Tracking Chart (figure 1) to learn how to plot the
latitude and longitude of the storm for the times provided.
2. To see how the hurricane developed by noting the changes to wind speeds.
3. To see how sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Gulf of Mexico affect the
hurricane’s strength.
4. To see what happens to hurricane winds when landfall occurs.
Plot the positions of Hurricane Katrina using the coordinates and times provided in Table
1 on the map (figure 1) provided. Mark each position with a dot and write the date and
time next to each dot. Then connect the dots to show the path of the storm.
Mark the portion of the path when the storm was at hurricane strength (above 74 mph)
with red. Mark the portion of the path in which the hurricane reached category 5 (155
mph or above) with blue.
1. When did the greatest increase in wind speeds occur? (Sat. am) (Sat pm) (Sun am)
(Sun pm)
2. Using figure 2, about what were sea surface temperatures in the region where the
Hurricane reached category 5? (26oC) (28oC) (30oC)
3. If all conditions were favorable for hurricane development, what would increasing sea
surface temperatures do to the wind speed and strength of the storm?
(increase) (decrease) (stay the same)
4. When did the wind speeds decrease the fastest? (Sun pm) (Mon am) (Mon pm)
5. Why?
6. How long did residents and emergency managers have between the time Hurricane
Katrina strengthened to category 5 and landfall?
To learn more about the influence of sea surface temperatures on Hurricane Katrina, see
the NOAA article, “…….” At http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/altimetry/katrina1.pdf
NASA satellite data show many interesting features about the structure of Hurricane
Katrina, measurements of internal winds, and damage along the Gulf coast. Some
spectacular graphics can be found on the NASA website:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/h2005_katrina.html
The National Hurricane Forecast Center, in Coral Gables, Florida, is a good source of
archival information on the climatology of past hurricanes and for discussions on the
recent upturn in hurricane frequencies in the North Atlantic. See their website:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov