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page !

~ The 'Cyclone' - a revolving tropical storm ~

A tropical revolving storm or "#yc$one" is an intense %ortex swir$ing in the atmospherewith %ery strong winds circu$ating around it in an anti-c$ockwise direction in the &orthern

'emisphere and in a c$ockwise direction in the (outhern 'emisphere.

#yc$ones are intense $ow pressure areas from the centre of which pressure increasesoutwards. The amount of the pressure drop in the centre and the rate and amount which it

decreases gi%es the intensity of the cyc$one and the strength of winds generated.

&orthern hemisphere re%o$%ing tropica$ storm of immense power.

Index

page ! - Introduction

page ) - *eather pressure (ystems

page + - Baric wind ,aw

page - The southern hemisphere#yc$one

page - The northern hemisphere#yc$one

page 0 - #yc$one categories

page 1 - *ind and wa%e height graph

page !2- 3tmospheric pressure 4barometer

page !! - Big seas images

The purpose of this document is to bring a $itt$e understanding to those who are nothardened seamen with years of exposure to %io$ent storm situations or cyc$onic weather. Itis written as a simp$e introduction to some weather processes that cou$d a5ect o5shore%oyagers6 and it is gi%en here to assist you with a $itt$e menta$ preparation that cou$d he$pyou when o5shore and bad weather is experienced.

I ha%e spent many years 7shing at sea in the e8uatoria$ regions between the e8uator and 9

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degrees (outh on the East coast of 3frica6 and thus ha%e ne%er been exposed to cyc$onicconditions that main$y occur in higher $atitudes than 9 degrees. 9 to +2 degrees north orsouth of the e8uator;

The information that fo$$ows is pure$y my own deduction as I sit in sec$usion far from the seadrawing upon my years of %arious experiences. It %aries in some aspects of what hasbeen written by others6 and thus it is necessary for you to $ook deep$y at what is said sothat you understand the situation c$ear$y6 for there cou$d be terrifying and disastrousconse8uences for the unwary.

=y intent is to gi%e a c$ear and concise pre-meditated course of action for any sea %oyagerto take if they 7nd themse$%es unfortunate enough to encounter a cyc$one that catchesthem unawares. It is %ery easy to make decisions when one is on secure ground6 but oncethe sea becomes rough and decisions need to be made 8uick$y it can become 8uiteconfusing to some who become menta$$y disturbed by indecisi%e thoughts that $ead toirrationa$ decisions being made.

=uch is written on cyc$ones that gi%es readers the impression that certain sectors orsemicirc$es are na%igab$e6 and I be$ie%e that this is fa$se teaching6 as in my opinion oneneeds to understand that whate%er sector one may enter into is %ery dangerous6 and thenearer one is dri%en by wind and wa%es towards the centre6 the greater the windy tempestand wa%e heights and greater the danger of in>ury6 drowning and $oss of %esse$.

The on$y reason why one 8uadrant becomes more dangerous than others is when thecyc$one is mo%ing o%er the sea surface6 thus any %esse$ that is ahead of the #yc$one is one

that is on a 8uicker co$$ision course with the eye6 and the time for a%oidance is $essenedand a$$ the dangers increase dramatica$$y.

In the foreknow$edge that a cyc$one can change direction at any time and e%en ha$t andre%erse backwards6 one wi$$ a$so then rea$ise that a 8uadrant or semicirc$e with anapparent $ess danger may sudden$y become a %ery dangerous one. Intensifying wind speedand $owering barometric pressure may be an indication of this.

I trust that the information and images pro%ided wi$$ gi%e the reader a $itt$e comfort in theknow$edge that they wi$$ be more prepared for an e%entua$ity that may ne%er arise. ?orthose of you that are beginner ocean %oyagers it wou$d be practica$ to obtain a copy of the

"Times 3t$as and encyc$opaedia of the sea" pub$ished by Times books of ,ondon6 that gi%esa $ot of pertinent information on wa%es and ocean currents and danger @ones at thedi5erent times of the year.

page )

*eather Aressure systems

In a High pressure system the air is mo%ing outwards from its centre6 and it ows towardsany Low pressure system situated outside its perimeter.

The air ow at the centre is @ero speed and ca$m weather pre%ai$s and the standard


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barometric !2!+ mb. It goes high when it rises abo%e the standard pressure and may riseto !2+2 or more mb.

The air mass of a 'igh pressure system (outh of the E8uator re%o$%es in an anti-c$ockwise

direction6 and in the northern hemisphere it re%o$%es in a c$ockwise direction.

Between the 'igh and the ,ow systems there is a ridge of faster mo%ing air formed as onesystem pushes up against the other6 and this has the e5ect of acce$erating the wind speedof the air mass between the 'igh and ,ow systems.

This fronta$ ridge of air can be the cause of %ery rough weather but it is not cyc$onic inthat it is not mo%ing in a circu$ar motion as is the cyc$one characteristic.

(ome %esse$s use this fast mo%ing wind in order to make good speed in their >ourney6howe%er if it is b$owing from the direction in which one seeks to tra%e$ then it is a %eryuncomfortab$e hindrance6 and it may be safer to not try and bash ones way through it butto simp$y make use of the Aara-anchor that wi$$ ho$d you steady as the front passes by andyou do not $ose ground.

In a Low pressure system that air is owing inwards towards its centre6 and as it mo%esc$oser to its %ortex the wind speed acce$erates. Arior to becoming a tropica$ #yc$one thereare three indicators as to the category of a ,ow.

! - ,ow pressure area $ess than ! kts +2 kph;

) - Cepression ! to ) kts +2 to 92 kph;

+ - Ceep depression )0 to ++ kts 92 to 2 kph;

Dnce the wind speed increases abo%e +9 kts then the re%o$%ing mass begins to form into a#ategory ! #yc$one with winds in the order of +9 to 92 kts. 3s time passes the barometricpressure drops $ower and the winds increase their speed. It may take up to + days or morefor a Cepression to deepen and become a #yc$one.

In a $arge #yc$one there may be a barometric drop to 1)2 mb or $ess6 and the $ower it dropsis an indication of the pressure di5erence between the 'igh and the ,ow6 and the $ower themb reading the greater the pressure di5erence and faster the wind speed becomes.

The air mass is rising upwards from the centre of the %ortex $ike an in%isib$e tornado6 andthe circu$ar wa%e mo%ement dri%es oating ob>ects towards its centre6 and the nearer thecentre the higher the wind speed and more dangerous the wa%es.

E%en though a ca$m of neg$igib$e wind is experienced by those on $and as the centre of theeye of the cyc$one passes o%erhead6 on the ocean this ca$m core is a dead$y mass of %eryconfused and breaking wa%es that are approaching the %esse$ from any direction and thusare extreme$y dangerous.

In severe cyclonic storms, wind speeds of 30 kts can occur even at a distance of 400 nm from the storm centre. The

gales give rise to a confused sea with surface waves as high as 60' and swells that travel a thousand miles. This is


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accompanied y torrential rains, and the cyclone can move as much as !00 to 300 nm a day.

(outh of the E8uator the cyc$one air mass re%o$%es in a c$ockwise direction.&orth of the E8uator the cyc$one air mass re%o$%es in an anti-c$ockwise direction.

page +

Baric wind ,aw

The Baric *ind ,aw is an indicator that assists one in determining in what direction acyc$one core is situated in re$ation to the %esse$ at sea. This may seem unnecessary todaywhen there are sate$$ite images and radio weather updates6 but not a$$ ocean tra%e$$ersha%e these aids6 and thus the basic understanding of and use of a barometer and the Baric,aw can gi%e you added assurance when o5shore.

?or on$y when you know that you are in the safe and trai$ing or rear 8uadrants are youab$e to safe$y dep$oy your sea anchor to ho$d you steady. ?or if you are in the fronta$8uadrant and you dep$oy the Aara-anchor then you cou$d become a sitting duck that isanchored direct$y in the path of the approaching cyc$one and you wi$$ most $ike$y meet yourmaker.

This document is to gi%e you an idea as to how to check your position in re$ation to thecyc$one as we$$ as to its direction6 and in which direction your %esse$ needs to tra%e$ to getaway from the path of the cyc$one.

If you ha%e a radio or other $and or sate$$ite communication then you are in the fortunateposition of being ab$e to hear that a cyc$one is or has formed and where it is situated andwhat its direction of mo%ement is. Thus you can p$ot your direction of tra%e$ to mo%e out of its path.

The Baric Wind Law states that


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The southern hemisphere #yc$one (outh of the e8uator

The tropica$ re%o$%ing storm is a %ery ,ow pressure system ,; known as a "#yc$one" and by

other names.

In the southern hemisphere (outh of the e8uator; it usua$$y occurs during the months of &o%ember to =ay. In this hemisphere it re%o$%es in a c$ockwise direction.

It forms o%er the sea between 9 to )2 degrees south of the e8uatoria$ be$t and maycommence as a stationary re%o$%ing ,ow pressure system before it becomes a category !#yc$one or greater and begins to mo%e o%er the water.

Dnce it begins to mo%e6 the direction is genera$$y *est or *(* approximate headings of )92 to )2 degree - after some days it may tend to a$ter direction more to the (outh in a(* to (outh direction.

The e8uator is to the &orth - here

(outh of the E8uator when a %esse$ is facing into the wind the cyc$one $ies to the $eft Aort side; abaft thebeam at approx !+9 degree to the %esse$ direction.

E-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the East6 head +!9 degrees

(-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the (outh6 head 2)9 degrees*-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the *est6 head !+9 degrees


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&-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the &orth Two options see be$ow;

Important note: If your %esse$ is somewhere in the abo%e image within the #yc$onic wind@one inuence on any %ector from the centre and you face a compass into the wind and

wa%es and take a reading of the compass bearing and6 - - - then an hour or more $ater youdo the same thing then6 - - -

Fou wi$$ know whether you are being drawn c$oser to its centre or whether you are mo%ingfurther away because6 - - - the wind and wa%es are cur%ing inwards towards the #yc$onecentre and the wind and wa%es are a$tering their magnetic heading.

This is because the c$oser you get to the eye of the #yc$one the greater becomes themagnetic bearing and6 - - - the further away from the centre you tra%e$ the $ess becomesthe magnetic bearing. This fact is taking p$ace a$$ the way from the outer fringes and up tothe eye itse$f.

Examp$e - If you enter the outer edge of the mass at &-# with the cyc$one to the north of you the wind direction wou$d be from the E(E at approx !)2 degrees. If you were runningwith the wa%es or being dragged around by them for a few hours you wou$d be situatedsomewhere between &-# and E-#6 and if you took a bearing into the wind and wa%es itcou$d be !2 degrees6 an increase in the magnetic bearing that shows you are in greaterdanger. This on$y app$ies to %esse$s in the southern hemisphere.

It a$so fo$$ows that if you were running with wind and wa%es towards the eye that yourcompass heading wou$d be increasing a$$ the way. In fact if you were drawn into its eye your

%esse$ wou$d ha%e tra%e$$ed a comp$ete circ$e or more and gone through the entire +2degrees of the compass before reaching the centre of the cyc$one. Geering to (tarboarda$$ the way with a $owering barometric pressure.;

It a$so fo$$ows that if any any stage you 7nd that the wind direction is from a $essermagnetic compass bearing6 then you are mo%ing away from the eye or6 the cyc$one ismo%ing away from you. This paragraph on$y app$ies to %esse$s in the southern hemisphere.

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actors to consider especially i! there is no radio contact to ascertain position o! Cyclone"

This page pertains on$y to #yc$ones in the southern hemisphere.

#yc$one to the *est of you *-#

If you are in the southern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the *est of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the &orth6 then you wou$d be wise to begin to mo%e East#ompass heading 212 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat or danger hasabated.;

#yc$one to the East of you E-#

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If you are in the southern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the East of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the (outh6 then you wou$d be wise to begin to mo%e&orthwest. #ompass heading +!9 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat ordanger has abated and you keep monitoring its direction.;

#yc$one to the (outh of you (-#

If you are in the southern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the (outh of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the (outhwest6 then if you are between the e8uator and,atitude 9 degrees (outh you may continue in any direction between )2 and 212 degrees6on$y mo%e (outh of that $ine once the cyc$one has mo%ed away and the barometric pressureis rising.

If you are between ,atitude 9 degrees (outh to )2 degrees (outh and you notice the c$oudto the (outh of you and the wind and wa%es coming from the *est to (outhwest6 then youshou$d mo%e in a &orth to &ortheast direction unti$ the barometer is either not fa$$ing or isrising steadi$y. #ompass heading 2)9 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threator danger has abated.;

#yc$one to the &orth of you &-#

If you are in the southern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the &orth of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the &ortheast to East6 then you wou$d be wise to begin tomo%e (E. #ompass heading !+9 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat ordanger has abated. Hefer to the &ote - ! at page end;

The extreme danger of this 8uadrant is that not on$y is the wind and wa%e action dri%ingyou in its direction6 but the eye is a$so mo%ing towards you o%er the sea and the combinedspeed of these two acti%ities $essens the time for e%asion and the danger is 8uadrup$ed fors$ow mo%ing %esse$s.

If you are in the southern hemisphere ha$fway between &-# and E-# and you notice thec$oud to the &ortheast of you =ost dangerous position; and the wind and wa%es comingfrom the East to (outheast6 then you wou$d be wise to consider mo%ing *est northwest asyou run with the wind on your Aort bow crossing the path of the #yc$one and swing aroundto the &orth of the #yc$one path. #ompass heading )02 degrees or more and increasing as

you swing around to the &orth unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat or danger hasabated.;

In the southern hemisphere swinging across the path of the #yc$one as you are dri%ennorthwards may a$so be bene7cia$ if it is tending to change direction to the (outh.

#ote - $ : The #ompass heading 212 to !!2 degrees gi%en abo%e is the idea$ genera$ onefor when wind and wa%es permit6 but depending on your position reference to your distancefrom the #yc$one centre and your %esse$ power6 the existing wind and wa%e inuence mayprohibit the direction gi%en. In this case you ha%e ) options.

! - To bear o5 to the (tarboard right; keeping the wind and wa%es on your Aort bow as


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c$ose as possib$e as you head away from the #yc$one centre that wi$$ be behind you on your(tarboard right; rear 8uarter. If your %esse$ is s$ow you may 7nd that you are sti$$ $osingground and forced towards the eye. 3nd it is mo%ing in your genera$ direction; This you wi$$know if the barometric pressure keeps dropping and the situation worsens. In this case youha%e option ) $eft.

) - In this case you need to ho$d your ground and ha$t your mo%ement towards the eye. Thisyou do by dep$oying your Aara anchor. 3s $ong as you are not direct$y in the path of the#yc$one you wi$$ be he$d steady facing wind and wa%es and after a time the wind and wa%eswi$$ abate.

&ote: Aara anchor - The Aara anchor can be dep$oyed at any time that you fee$ the %esse$

is in danger of being o%erwhe$med by rough seas or being dri%en re$ent$ess$y towards theeye and a$so6 it can be dep$oyed if you be$ie%e that you are outside the path of the #yc$oneand you wish to sit safe$y at anchor unti$ its fury dep$etes.

This decision is yours and must be considered with the understanding that once dep$oyed6 itwi$$ become irretrie%ab$e unti$ the winds ha%e dropped and that you wi$$ be a sitting duck if the #yc$one changes course towards you. (ea conditions may a$so be a prime factor;

Gesse$s situated to the rear of the mo%ing eye are e8ua$$y battered by wind and wa%eaction but the mass of the #yc$one is mo%ing away from their position when using a Aaraand6 - - - one needs to understand that there is ne%er any guarantee that a s$ow mo%ing

%esse$ wi$$ escape if it is trapped by high winds and dangerous seas as many an ancestra$spirit wou$d testify.

page

The northern hemisphere #yc$one &orth of the e8uator

The tropica$ re%o$%ing storm is a %ery ,ow pressure system ,; known as a : "cyc$one orhurricane or typhoon" and by other names.

In the northern hemisphere &orth of the e8uator; it usua$$y occurs during the months of =ay to &o%ember. In this hemisphere it re%o$%es in an anti-c$ockwise direction.

It forms o%er the sea between 9 to )2 degrees north of the e8uatoria$ be$t and maycommence as a stationary re%o$%ing ,ow pressure system before it becomes a category !#yc$one or greater and begins to mo%e o%er the water.

Dnce it begins to mo%e6 the direction is genera$$y *est or *&* approximate headings of )2 to )12 degree - after some days it may tend to a$ter direction more to the &orth in a&* to &orth direction.



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The e8uator is to the (outh - here

&orth of the E8uator when %esse$ is facing into the wind the cyc$one $ies to the right (tarboard side; abaft

the beam at approx !+9 degree to the %esse$ direction.

E-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the East6 head ))9 degrees(-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the (outh

*-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the *est6 head 212 degrees&-# %esse$ position means : #yc$one to the &orth6 head !99 degrees

Important note: If your %esse$ is somewhere in the abo%e image within the #yc$onic wind@one inuence on any %ector from the centre and you face a compass into the wind andwa%es and take a reading of the compass bearing and6 - - - then an hour or more $ater youdo the same thing then6 - - -

Fou wi$$ know whether you are being drawn c$oser to its centre or whether you are mo%ingfurther away because6 - - the wind and wa%es are cur%ing inwards towards the #yc$onecentre and the wind and wa%es are a$tering their magnetic heading.

This is because the c$oser you get to the eye of the #yc$one the $esser becomes themagnetic bearing and6 - - - the further away from the centre you tra%e$ the greater becomesthe magnetic bearing. This fact is taking p$ace a$$ the way from the outer fringes and up tothe eye itse$f.

Examp$e - If you enter the outer edge of the mass at &-# with the cyc$one to the north of

you the wind direction wou$d be from the (* at approx )2 degrees. If you were runningwith the wa%es or being dragged around by them for a few hours you wou$d be situated


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somewhere between &-# and *-#6 and if you took a bearing into the wind and wa%es itcou$d be ))2 degrees6 an decrease in the magnetic bearing that shows you are in greaterdanger. This on$y app$ies to %esse$s in the northern hemisphere.

It a$so fo$$ows that if you were running with wind and wa%es towards the eye that yourcompass heading wou$d be decreasing a$$ the way. In fact if you were drawn into its eyeyour %esse$ wou$d ha%e tra%e$$ed a comp$ete circ$e or more and gone through the entire +2degrees of the compass before reaching the centre of the cyc$one. Backing to Aort a$$ theway with a $owering barometric pressure.;

It a$so fo$$ows that if at any stage you 7nd that the wind direction is from a greatermagnetic compass bearing6 then you are mo%ing away from the eye or6 the cyc$one ismo%ing away from you. This paragraph on$y app$ies to %esse$s in the northern hemisphere.

page

actors to consider especially i! there is no radio contact to ascertain position o! Cyclone"

This page pertains on$y to #yc$ones in the northern hemisphere.

#yc$one to the *est of you *-#

If you are in the northern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the *est of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the (outh6 then you wou$d be wise to begin to mo%e East.

#ompass heading 212 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat or danger hasabated.;

#yc$one to the East of you E-#

If you are in the northern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the East of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the &orth6 then you wou$d be wise to begin to mo%e(outhwest. #ompass heading ))9 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threat ordanger has abated and you keep monitoring its direction.;

#yc$one to the &orth of you &-#

If you are in the northern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the &orth of you and thewind and wa%es coming from the &orthwest6 then if you are between the e8uator and,atitude 9 degrees &orth you may continue in any direction between 212 to )2 degrees6on$y mo%e &orth of that $ine once the cyc$one has mo%ed away and the barometric pressureis rising.

If you are between ,atitude 9 degrees &orth to )2 degrees &orth and you notice the c$oudto the &orth of you and the wind and wa%es coming from the &orth to &orthwest6 then youshou$d mo%e in a (outh to (outheast direction unti$ the barometer is either not fa$$ing or is

rising steadi$y. #ompass heading !99 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threator danger has abated.;



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#yc$one to the (outh of you (-#

If you are in the northern hemisphere and you notice the c$oud to the (outh of you and thewind and wa%es coming from (outheast to East6 then you wou$d be wise to begin to mo%eE&E to East. #ompass heading 22 to 212 degrees unti$ you are certain that the cyc$onethreat or danger has abated. Hefer to the &ote - ! at page end;

The extreme danger of this 8uadrant is that not on$y is the wind and wa%e action dri%ingyou in its direction6 but the eye is a$so mo%ing towards you o%er the sea and the combinedspeed of these two acti%ities $essens the time for e%asion and the danger is 8uadrup$ed fors$ow mo%ing %esse$s.

If you are in the northern hemisphere ha$fway between (-# and E-# and you notice thec$oud to the (outheast of you =ost dangerous position; and the wind and wa%es coming

from East to &ortheast6 then you wou$d be wise to consider mo%ing (outh southwest as yourun with the wind on your (tarboard bow crossing the path of the #yc$one and swingaround to the (outh of the #yc$one path. #ompass heading +!9 degrees or $ess anddecreasing as you swing around to the (outh unti$ you are certain that the cyc$one threator danger has abated.;

In the northern hemisphere swinging across the path of the #yc$one as you are dri%ensouthwards may a$so be bene7cia$ if it is tending to change direction to the &orth.

#ote - $ : The #ompass heading 22 to 12 degrees gi%en abo%e is the idea$ genera$ onefor when wind and wa%es permit6 but depending on your position reference to your distance

from the #yc$one centre and your %esse$ power6 the existing wind and wa%e inuence mayprohibit the direction gi%en. In this case you ha%e ) options.

! - To bear o5 to the Aort $eft; keeping the wind and wa%es on your starboard bow as c$oseas possib$e as you head away from the #yc$one centre that wi$$ be behind you on your Aort$eft; rear 8uarter. If your %esse$ is s$ow you may 7nd that you are sti$$ $osing ground andforced towards the eye. 3nd it is mo%ing in your genera$ direction; This you wi$$ know if thebarometric pressure keeps dropping and the situation worsens. In this case you ha%e option) $eft.

) - In this case you need to ho$d your ground and ha$t your mo%ement towards the eye. Thisyou do by dep$oying your Aara anchor. 3s $ong as you are not direct$y in the path of the#yc$one you wi$$ be he$d steady facing wind and wa%es and after a time the wind and wa%eswi$$ abate.

&ote: Aara anchor - The Aara anchor can be dep$oyed at any time that you fee$ the %esse$is in danger of being o%erwhe$med by rough seas or being dri%en re$ent$ess$y towards theeye and a$so6 it can be dep$oyed if you be$ie%e that you are outside the path of the #yc$oneand you wish to sit safe$y at anchor unti$ its fury dep$etes.

This decision is yours and must be considered with the understanding that once dep$oyed6 it

wi$$ become irretrie%ab$e unti$ the winds ha%e dropped and that you wi$$ be a sitting duck if the #yc$one changes course towards you. (ea conditions may a$so be a prime factor;


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Gesse$s situated to the rear of the mo%ing eye are e8ua$$y battered by wind and wa%eaction but the mass of the #yc$one is mo%ing away from their position when using a Aaraand6 - - - one needs to understand that there is ne%er any guarantee that a s$ow mo%ing

%esse$ or 3&F %esse$ wi$$ escape if it is trapped by high winds and dangerous seas as manyan ancestra$ spirit wou$d testify.

The power and fury of the wind and sea in a big #yc$one wi$$ o%erpower a$$ comers that%enture into its fo$d6 and thrust them towards its %ortex more easi$y than the current nearthe rim of the Gictoria fa$$s wou$d drag a canoeist inexorab$y o%er the brink and into theabyss of destruction if they %enture too near.

#ote: Gesse$s that tra%e$ at $ess than !2 kts are at far greater risk than those with speed range of !) to )2kts that can more easi$y outrun a #yc$one.

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#yc$one categories #yc$one categories and approximate re$ated wind speeds to be encountered

#ategory ! #yc$one - strongest winds are J3,E( with gusts to !)9 km/h. These winds correspond to Beaufort 0 and 1 Ja$es and strong ga$es 2 - 92kts;.

#ategory ) #yc$one - strongest winds are CE(THK#TIGE winds with gustsof !)9 -!2 km/h. These winds correspond to Beaufort !2 and !! (torm and %io$ent storm 99 -9 kts;.

#ategory + #yc$one - strongest winds are GEHF CE(THK#TIGE with gustsof !2 - ))9 km/h. These winds correspond to the highest category on the Beaufort sca$e6Beaufort !) 'urricane o%er 9 kts;.

#ategory #yc$one - winds o%er 9 kts !92 km/h; with gusts of ))9 -)02 km/h.

#ategory 9 #yc$one - winds o%er 12 kts !02 km/h; with gusts to +92km/h.

The "entral pacific hurricane centre gives tales with higher wind speeds listed in each category. The classifications

are intended primarily for use in gauging the likely damage and flooding a hurricane will cause upon landfall.

#ither way you can e$pect high seas with a water tale surge of up to % metres or more.

&affir&impson "yclone &cale

• Tropical &torm winds 3()3 mph *3463 kt+

• "ategory winds )4(% mph *64-! kt+

• "ategory ! winds (60 mph *-3(% kt+



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• "ategory 3 winds 30 mph *(63 kt+

• "ategory 4 winds 3%% mph *43% kt+

• "ategory % winds %6 mph and up *3% kt+

#ote: #yc$ones genera$$y tend to tra%e$ in a wester$y direction but are known to a$tercourse in any direction. The speed o%er the ground of the entire system is usua$$y in theorder of + to !) kts. Thus it has the capacity to outrun and destroy s$ow %esse$s that ha%eentered into dangerous wind and sea conditions and are unfortunate enough to be in itspath or forced around towards and into its eye %ortex.

Irrespecti%e of which 8uarter or sector of the cyc$one you 7nd yourse$f you are in extremedanger6 for the wind tends to dri%e your %esse$ towards the eye and as you get nearer6 - --

The fury of the wind and wa%es become terrifying and wa%e heights can exceed a height of 2 feet6 and the winds increase their speed and wa%es become more destructi%e and6 - - -

#ote: Dn $and the eye of the cyc$one is sti$$ and there is no turbu$ence and this factormis$eads many into thinking that the same app$ies in the ocean6 it does &DT. The power of the energy stored by the mo%ing wa%es continues to dri%e the wa%es towards the cyc$onecentre e%en though there is @ero wind6 and as the energy dri%ing the wa%es meets itse$f within the eye there is a mass of confusion and o%er fa$$s and tota$ chaos.

In the center of the re%o$%ing storm there is a mass of %ery confused wa%es that erupt from

e%ery side and they wi$$ probab$y o%erwhe$m your %esse$ if you or your %esse$ ha%e been$ucky enough to ha%e sur%i%ed that far. Fou cannot run with the wind and wa%es and besafe in the eye of a #yc$one6 as the wind and wa%es a$$ $ead to its destructi%e centre.

The mass of the cyc$one may extend to an approximate diameter of !22 to 22 nm across6and its circu$ar eye may be anything from 9 to 2 nm wide. The eye is characterised by $ightwinds and c$ear skies and %ery turbu$ent chaotic wa%es.

The barometric pressure at the edge may be !2!2 mb6 and in the eye it may be as $ow as012 mb or $ess. Thus if the tota$ cyc$one width is )92 nm with an approximate distance of !)2 nm from outer edge to eye6 the drop in barometric pressure of approximate$y 2 mbthat is graded faster at the eye is sti$$ an a%erage decrease of ! mb e%ery ) nm c$oser tothe eye you get.

'a$%ing this barometric drop when on the outer edge to ! mb e%ery nm sti$$ gi%es one adrop in pressure of ) mb in 0 nm. 3ny amount of drop in pressure or increase in pressure isa good indicator as to whether you are $osing ground6 gaining ground6 or stationary inre$ation to the cyc$one.

Hemember6 e%en if you and it are both stationary in re$ation to each other and the cyc$onestarts increasing its si@e6 its centra$ pressure is dropping and so is the pressure around you.

This wou$d be more common when it is new$y forming and you are a$ready in the midd$e of it the ,ow.


14/18

In this case where there is no wind and no swe$$ yet formed but a fast $owering of pressurethen6 - - - if you are &orth of the e8uator head towards the (outheast. If you are (outh of the E8uator head &ortheast so as to mo%e away from the de%e$oping core of the ,ow.

If you do not ha%e a radio and weather report6 then you are re$iant of your barometer andother signs to warn you of the arri%a$ of a ,ow pressure system. &ot e%ery ,ow pressuresystem de%e$ops into a #yc$one6 howe%er in the summer months one needs to be a$ert.

In the winter months the high $atitudes of +9 to 2 degrees can de%e$op %ery $arge ,owpressure systems that are accompanied by ga$e force conditions of 2 kts and higher6 if youare at the $eading edge of one of these in the southern ocean then you can be forcedsouthwards6 and by using a Aara anchor you can stay stationary unti$ its centra$ ,ow haspassed your position of ,ongitude and the trai$ing edge he$ps you East or &orth. Theopposite e5ect takes p$ace in the northern hemisphere.

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*ind and wa%e graph

This graph is a time indicator that shows that wa%es grow bigger o%er time. Thus it isimportant to take e%asi%e action and %acate the ,ow pressure area as soon as possib$e ifyou are tra%e$$ing through tropica$ waters during the #yc$one season and become awarethat one is forming.

Examp$eL 12 kts wind raises wa%e to ! feet height in hours6 and this increases to )9

after )2 hours6 and by !22 hours they ha%e grown to 92. 3s you can see6 if you enter acategory + - 9 cyc$one then you sur%i%a$ chance becomes %ery s$im.



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page !2

3tmospheric Aressure 4 the Barometer The "norma$" pressure6 that at sea $e%e$ is represented in %arious ways.

mm 'g mercury at 2D#; M 2.2inches 'g M )1.1)!

A(I $b/s8uare inch M !.1

3T= atmospheres M !Bars M !.2!+)9

=i$$ibars mb; M !2!+.)9'ectopasca$s hAa; M !2!+.)9

Barometers record the rise or fa$$ in the atmospheric pressure6 thus they are good indicatorsas to the present pressure that indicates whether one is within a fa$$ing or rising pressure airmass. the barometric range is usua$$y between 022 mb hAa; to !292 mb hAa.;

page !!

Big wa%e images

These pictures are not cyc$one re$ated as I simp$y found them on $ine6 but they do gi%e oneand idea as to the intense power of wind dri%en wa%es6 and they a$so gi%e you an indicationof sur%i%abi$ity or otherwise. *hat you a$so need to rea$ise is that e%en though you may be

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in a strong %esse$6 - - - if it is thrown around or knocked down then you cou$d su5er se%erein>ury that wou$d hasten your demise.

If you are in a sma$$ %esse$ it is important to ensure that you dep$oy a Aara anchor prior to

yourse$f or your %esse$ becoming endangered. Its dep$oyment is not a guarantee of sur%i%a$6but it is so if the conditions permit sur%i%a$. In the past ten years )22 tankers and supertankers ha%e been $ost due to wa%e action as ha%e a mu$titude of sma$$er craft.

The ma>or factor that ki$$s air pi$ots is instabi$ity in their mind6 for their thoughts dri%e theminto attempting to y to a destination when the weather is $ess than their capacity to y.Dnce airborne and conditions worsen6 instead of turning back their thoughts keep dri%ingthem on into situations where they become $ost or disorientated and they y into mountainsor they enter a spira$ di%e into ob$i%ion.

The danger on the sea is far greater6 because one is tra%e$$ing much s$ower and fu$$ e%asi%eaction may take many hours of weariness and danger. Be aware of the fact that e%eryperson has a di5erent capacity to hand$e diNcu$t situations.

The the 7rst thing you need to do is to educate yourse$f fu$$y on a$$ aspects of your intended>ourney on the sea in the foreknow$edge that your $ife is in your own hands6 and Jods; soonce you ha%e done your best then $ea%e the rest to Jod and ca$m$y accept any ad%ersee%entua$ity.


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Jiant rogue wa%e rearing up - Bay of Biscay

#yc$one water tab$e danger

I write these few words for those of you that are unaware of the reasons for thepossibi$ity of ooding due to #yc$one inuence. The barometric pressure weightof air mass; at the core centre of any #yc$one is far $ess than the barometricpressure outside the #yc$one.

It fo$$ows that as the air pressure upon the sea is $ess in the eye6 that the entiremass of water in the eye area is in fact $ifted up abo%e the norma$ sea $e%e$due to the greater atmospheric pressure on the eye from the sea surroundingthe #yc$one.

If the eye of the storm was )2 nautica$ mi$es in diameter then the water tab$ewithin this )2 nm area wou$d in fact be + to !) metres higher than norma$ sea$e%e$6 this factor dependant upon the barometric pressure of the core.

If the storm eye approaches the $and at high tide6 then you can see how easi$yany $ow $ying areas wou$d sudden$y be ooded by the extraordinary rising of the

sea $e%e$ as we$$ as being pounding by huge wa%es. If the storm tra%e$s a$ong acoast$ine then the water tab$e rises and fa$$s a$ong the entire section and a $argearea can be destroyed.

If you $i%e on the coast and are not aware of this fact6 then you need to makepro%ision for that possibi$ity6 and make sure that you mo%e we$$ away from theshore $ong before the eye of the #yc$one reaches the coast if it is in your %icinity.

In %ery $ow $ying areas such as the Bay of Benga$ area6 the water tab$e hasdestroyed $ife and homes up to +2 km in$and.


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#ote: This document is to assist you6 and it is up to you toascertain your own persona$ capabi$ities for u$timate$y it is

you to be faced by the conse8uences of your ownchoosing.

It is a$so up to you to make your own persona$$y informeddecision as to the 8ua$ity of truth or otherwise that othersor I present to you on any sub>ect matter. Treat thesenotes as a guide6 and then do your own homework.

'appy Boating

Jo to Aara anchors

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