HURRICANES

What is it?•A tropical storm with winds greater than 119 kph (74 mph)

•Usually 600 km across (200 -300 mi)

•Called typhoons in western Pacific ocean

When do they form?•Between June and November

•When there’s a low pressure area over the ocean

How do they form?

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Diagram of a hurricane

The eye•The center of a hurricane•Area of no wind or rain or clouds

•Wind blows opposite direction after it passes

How they move•Steered by trade winds•East to west•Lose strength when they hit land

•Still continue moving

Effects•Flooding•Damaged or destroyed buildings

•Downed power lines•Damaged environment

–Beaches, wetlands, trees•Storm surge – dome of water that comes ashore with hurricane

Hurricane safety•Prepare to evacuate when there’s a hurricane watch

•Evacuate when there’s a hurricane warning

•If you can’t or don’t, find an interior room with no windows

Tracking a hurricane•Watches and warnings are issued on the basis of the storm track

•Tomorrow you will track a hurricane and issue watches and warnings for the appropriate locations