Hurricanes

Question 1

What areas are typically affected by hurricanes?

Answer 1

Carribean, South- eastern USA

Question 2

How are hurricanes measured?

Answer 2

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale

Question 3

What is the 1st phase of the Saffir-Simpson Hurrricane wind scale?

Answer 3

1- Wind speed - 74 - 95 mph

• very dangerous will produce some damage

Question 4

What is the 2nd phase of the Saffir - Simpson Hurricane wind scale?

Answer 4

2 - wind speed - 96 - 110 mph

• extremly dangerous will cause extensive damage

Question 5

What is the 3rd phase of the Saffir - Simpson Hurricane wind scale?

Answer 5

3- wind speed 111 ~ 129 mph

• devastating damage will occur

Question 6

What is the 4th phase of the Saffir - Simpson Hurricane wind scale?

Answer 6

4- wind speed 130 ~ 156 mph

• castrophic damage will occur

Question 7

What is the 5th phase of the Saffir - Simpson Hurricane wind scale?

Answer 7

5- wind speed 157 mph ++

• castrophic damage will occur

Question 8

What is a shear force?

Answer 8

A difference in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere

Question 9

What is a storm surge?

Answer 9

an unusual, often descructive rise in sea level in a costal area, caused by

Question 10

What are tsunamis also known as?

Answer 10

Tsunamis are also known as..

typhoons - southwest pacific

cyclones - indian oceans

Question 11

What letters are not used when naming hurricanes?

Answer 11

Q , U , X, Y, Z

Question 12

How long are hurricane names recycled for?

Answer 12

hurricane names are recycles every 6 years

however if a hurricane causes extensive damage, it’s name is retired from use

Question 13

When does hurricane season occur in the atlantic?

Answer 13

June 1 - Novemeber 30

With most intense storms occuring in between mid august & mid october

Question 14

What impact does global warming have on hurricanes

Answer 14

• warmer ocean temperatures
• larger hurricanes
• more rain
• stronger winds
  -higher storm surges

Question 15

Why are hurricanes caused?

Answer 15

tremendous amount of heat energy stored within the ocean, causing huge imbalance.

since nature likes to balance stuff out hurricanes are caused

Question 16

Where do hurricanes typically form?

Answer 16

Tropical waters west of Africa, near Cape Verde Islands.

Where sea-surface temperatures in this region is above 26.5 degrees celsius,

Question 17

How are hurricanes created?

Answer 17

water vapour
from the ocean rises and creates an inward movement of air.

air spirals toward the centre of
the disturbance,

moving faster as the storm gets larger

as long as winds in the upper atmosphere
do not produce a shear force to
disrupt the system, the storm can
increase in height and breadth until
it reaches hurricane status, gaining
strength as it moves westward toward
the Caribbean and picking up energy from the warm Atlantic waters.