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Geo > Hurricanes > Flashcards

Hurricanes Flashcards

1
Q

What is a hurricane?

A

A hurricane is a weather system, consisting of a well defined eye and strong winds exceeding 120 km/hr and can cause destruction to man and his environment.

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2
Q

When do hurricanes occur from?

A

Hurricanes occur from June to November

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3
Q

What is the size of a hurricane?

A

The average size of a hurricane is 1000 km wide in diameter

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4
Q

Name the different stages of a hurricane.

A

The different stages of a hurricane are:
- Stage 1: Easterly wave/Tropical Wave/Tropical Disturbance

  • Stage 2: Tropical Depression
  • Stage 3: Tropical Storm
  • Stage 4: Hurricane
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5
Q

Define an Easterly wave

A

An Easterly Wave is a trough / belt of low pressure which occurs over Tropical areas accompanied by heavy rain, low pressure (1016 mb), associated with cumulus and thick cumulonimbus clouds bringing thunderstorms, with winds speeds between 15-20 km/hr.

N.B must also know symbol

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6
Q

Define a Tropical Depression.

A

Tropical Depression is not a fully developed cyclone and has no eye, associated with thundery weather and heavy rain; low pressure (1005-1010mb). Winds blow anticlockwise with wind speeds ~ 62 km/hr or less with a rotary circulation of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms.

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7
Q

Define a Tropical Storm

A

A Tropical Storm is an intense weather system, low pressure (990-1000mb), a developed centre or eye with winds blowing in a rotary, anticlockwise direction accompanied by wind speeds of 63 km/hr -119km/hr or more, torrential rain from cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds.

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8
Q

Define a hurricane

A

A hurricane is a weather system, consisting of a well-defined eye and strong winds exceeding 120 km/hr with atmospheric pressure less 990 mb, winds blow in an anticlockwise direction, Cumulus and towering Cumulonimbus clouds present which bring extended thunderstorms.

N.B know the symbol

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9
Q

How are winds named?

(Bonus question: what causes the storms to move westwards and why)

A

Winds are named according to the direction they come from.

(The Coriolis effect causes the winds to move westwards due to the Earth’s rotation on its axis)

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10
Q

What are the most prominent/well developed clouds in a hurricane?

A

The most prominent clouds in a hurricane are the cumulonimbus clouds.

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11
Q

State which direction a hurricane rotates depending on the hemisphere it is in.

A
  • Northern Hemisphere: anti-clockwise
  • Southern Hemisphere: clockwise
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12
Q

How does atmospheric pressure affect a hurricane?

(Bonus: give the two other names for a hurricane)

A

The lower the atmospheric pressure will lead to stronger developments and storms.

(Two other names for a hurricane are wind pressure systems and low pressure systems)

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13
Q

What is used to measure the extent of the impact of a hurricane, how does it go about doing that and how many categories is it divided into?

A

The Saffir Simpson Scale is used to measure the extent of the impact of a hurricane by looking at its wind speeds. It is divided into 5 categories.

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14
Q

State the wind speeds and level of destruction associated with a category/stage 1 hurricane

A
  • Wind Speed / Strength: 119-153 km/hr 74-95 Miles/hr
  • Level of Destruction: Minimal coastal flooding, minor damage to buildings, minor damage to infrastructure (minor damage to utilities poles)
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15
Q

State the wind speeds and level of destruction of a category 2 hurricane

A
  • Wind Speed / Strength: 154-177 km/hr 83-95 Miles/hr
  • Level of Destruction: Moderate damage to buildings, trees become projectiles and coastal flooding.
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16
Q

State the wind speeds and level of destruction for a category 3 hurricane

A
  • Wind Speed / Strength: 178- 208 km/hr 111- 129 Miles/hr
  • Level of Destruction: Extensive flooding, small structures destroyed, routes cut off, large buildings battered, crops destroyed, damage to infrastructure (utility poles damaged, roads cut off and domestic water shortage)
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17
Q

State the wind speeds and level of destruction for a stage 4 hurricane

A
  • Wind Speed / Strength: 209- 251 km/hr 130- 156 Miles/hr
  • Level of Destruction: Extensive damage to houses and buildings (to roof structure) vegetation and crops destroyed, greater damage to infrastructure (utility services disrupted for days, roads cut off and domestic water shortage) food shortages can occur, pollution and loss of life and or injury.
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18
Q

State the wind speeds and level of destruction of a stage 5 hurricane

A
  • Wind Speed / Strength: ≥ 252 km/hr >156 mi/hr
  • Level of Destruction: Catastrophic destruction with fatal destruction in some places. Houses and buildings blown over or away, high level flooding exceeding the coastal areas, vegetation and crops destroyed. Communications affected, damage to infrastructure (utility services disrupted for days, roads cut off and domestic water shortage) food shortages for long periods of time. Pollution and loss of life and or injury.
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19
Q

There are many factors that affect a hurricane, describe how the following factors affect a hurricane:
- winds
- ocean currents
- distance between isobars
- the Caribbean islands

A
  • Winds: The strong winds (not from the hurricane but from elsewhere like the North East Trade winds) can slow down the development of a hurricane.
  • Ocean Currents: warm bodies of water fuel the hurricanes as it is their energy source.
  • Distance between isobars: isobars that are closer together over a small area represent a great change in atmospheric pressure which will be associated with strong winds
  • The Caribbean Islands: when the system reaches the Caribbean, the islands help to block some of the winds so further development does not happen until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico
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20
Q

Describe how the movement of air affects the hurricane and its surrounding areas.

A

Air moves from an area of high pressure (surrounding areas) to an area of low pressure (hurricane) so therefore hurricanes draw clouds from areas around it, making the areas hot and sunny as there is little cloud coverage.

21
Q

Can a hurricane occur on the equator? Explain your answer.

A

A hurricane cannot occur on the equator because hurricane development occurs as each stage moves away from the equator and the Coriolis force which is necessary for a hurricane to spin and develop is not present at all at the equator.

22
Q

Who names Atlantic hurricanes and what kind of system do they use to choose the name?

A

The World Meteorological Organization names Atlantic hurricanes and they use an alternate list of male and female which are in alphabetical order and used on a six year rotation.

23
Q

Describe how Easterly waves and Tropical Depressions are named compared to Tropical storms and Hurricanes

A

Easterly waves and tropical depressions are named using numbers while Tropical Storms are given names which are carried on if they further develop into a hurricane.

24
Q

Will there ever be a storm or hurricane named Katrina again? Explain your answer

A

No, there will not because if a storm or hurricane, like Katrina, was so deadly or costly that future use of the name on a different storm would be inappropriate, the name will be retired.

25
Q

What is the distance and weather conditions that are found ahead of the hurricane?

A

Ahead of the hurricane
- Distance: 70- 100 km

  • Weather conditions: Weather is calm with gentle winds from the north and humidity is high. The air feels hot and sticky. Temperatures are high and pressure begins to fall from 1006 mb. Cumulus clouds begin to form, and showers develop. Winds begin to increase in speed.
26
Q

What is the distance of and the weather conditions that are found at the front of the vortex?

A

Front of the vortex
- Distance: 30- 50 km

  • Weather Conditions: Pressure falls rapidly. Temperature falls. Wind speeds increase over 100 km/hr. Cumulonimbus clouds with thunder and torrential rain (250 mm/day) with winds blowing from the North West.
27
Q

State the distance of and the weather conditions found at the eye of a hurricane

A

Eye
- Distance: 15- 50 km

  • Weather Conditions: around the eye, the wind speeds are high, usually around 118 km/hr but in the eye, the wind drops suddenly creating a calm with light winds blowing around 10- 20 km/hr. There may be no rain and pressure is usually low ~985 mb. The temperatures in the eye are ~2 degrees higher than the rest of the hurricane and the sun makes a brief appearance. There are clear skies with some scattered clouds as there are strong downward currents of air with little or no rainfall.
28
Q

State the distance of and the weather conditions found at the back of the vortex

A

Back of the vortex
- Distance: 30- 50 km

  • Weather Conditions: The onslaught begins with hurricane force winds over 100 km/hr and torrential rain. Cumulonimbus clouds are present and winds blow in the opposite direction, Southeast. The temperatures drop again to about 28°C but the pressure begins to rise.
29
Q

State the distance of and the weather conditions as the hurricane moves away

A
  • Distance: 70- 100 km
  • Weather Conditions: Pressure and temperature rise. Rain decreases to showers and some sunny intervals. Winds decrease. Conditions return to normal l.
30
Q

Define storm surges and state three things that happen to man and his environment when they occur.

A
  • Definition: A storm surge is a large dome of water that extends about 80 to 100 kilometres wide and 6 metres
    high, devastating coastal settlements and communications as it sweeps a shore.

Effects:
- Streets and low lying areas are flooded
- Causes damage to property
- can cause loss of life
- Rivers burst their banks and overflow
- Farmers face great losses as crops go underwater

31
Q

How do hurricanes cause flooding and what are its effects on man and his environment

A
  • Causes: the torrential rain from when the hurricane approaches the coastline can overwhelm drainage systems, especially in cities as they are unable to cope with the high volumes of water.

Effects:
- loss of life or injury in densely populated coastal areas as inhabitants are sweaty away by flood waters

  • crops and livestock lost causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss
  • food shortages from crops being destroyed
  • hundreds of thousands of homes can be destroyed and entire infrastructures destroyed
32
Q

What are some causes of loss of life in hurricanes?

A
  • falling trees and buildings
  • roofing materials and objects become projectiles/ flying missiles
  • flooding
  • storm surges
33
Q

How can a hurricane affect property?

(This can cause people to be displaced as their homes are damaged)

A
  • roofs are stripped from houses depending on the strength of the winds
  • many buildings are destroyed as debris and trees are flung against them
  • trees can be uprooted by strong winds
  • concrete walls are blown down
  • roofs collapse
  • walls are torn from homes
  • yards are littered with debris brought by flooding and winds
34
Q

Who will be more greatly affected by a hurricane; a developed country or an underdeveloped county?

A

An underdeveloped county will be affected by a hurricane greater than a developed country because weaker buildings and structures are more likely to be damaged as they are more vulnerable.

35
Q

How can farmland be affected by hurricanes and how can this affect the economy?

A

Crops can be destroyed by factors like flooding, storm surges, and winds and this can greatly affect the economy as agriculture is the primary industry in many Caribbean countries.

36
Q

What does the impact of the hurricane depend on?

A

The impact of the hurricane depends on:
- how strong the system is
- how well people were prepared for it

37
Q

Give me the following details about hurricane Ivan:
- when it took place
- max category reached
- places affected
- lives lost
- property destroyed
- crops affected
- infrastructure affected (electricity)

A
  • September 2004
  • category 4
  • affected: Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, Cuba, The Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haití
  • 70 lives lost in the Caribbean
  • 14000 homes destroyed in Grenada, 176 in Barbados, 800 in Jamaica
  • 90% of crops damaged in Grenada
  • electricity supplies disrupted
38
Q

Give me the following details about hurricane Maria:
- when
- max category
- number of lives lost
- overall cost of damage
- infrastructure affected

A
  • September - October 2017
  • category 4
  • 3059 total (puerto rico= 2975, Dominica= 65, Us Virgin Islands & Haiti= 3 each, Guadeloupe= 4)
  • US $96.1B
  • no electricity, clean water and food shortages for months
39
Q

Define mitigation

A

Mitigation is what can be done to reduce the damaging effects of something.

40
Q

State 3 personal mitigation strategies

A

Any 3 of the following are applicable:
- have a week’s supply of non-perishable food (canned food, dried food)

  • a month’s supply of medication and a first aid kit
  • place documents in a waterproof container or storage (house lease, ID, passports, birth certificate)
  • know where the hurricane shelters are from your home
  • learn the best routes to your home
  • go through shelters before hurricane arrives
  • have a flashlight and a battery operated radio
  • if you are in a high risk area, move move away to a safer place
  • know which roads easily flood and are poorly constructed
  • know emergency exits in your house
  • ensure that emergency numbers can be easily called and accessed
  • know your surroundings; know what is poorly built and likely to cause harm or destruction
  • do not go outside for any reason
41
Q

State some building design mitigation strategies

A

Any 3 of the following:
- board up windows with plywood or use hurricane shutters

  • use hurricane straps to secure the roof
  • The roof gradient should be 30°
  • trim trees and clear the area surrounding your home from loose debris
  • have flood barriers like sandbags
42
Q

State 3 insurance mitigation strategies

A
  • Get house insurance for the house and the contents inside the home
  • ensure that the insurance covers flooding
  • insurance your car with special perils for flooding
43
Q

Remember to state what these mitigation strategies can help with.

A

Remember them!!!!!

44
Q

What are the ways in which a hurricane can be detected?

A
  • Reconnaissance aircraft fly into the centre of a hurricane to measure wind, pressure, temperature, and humidity
    Ex: NOAA Hurricane Hunters Aircraft
  • MET Office and the National Hurricane Centre: use satellites and radar to enable scientists to track hurricanes
45
Q

What are the ways in which people can be warned before a hurricane arrives?

A
  • Issue a Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are likely in the next 36 hours. Be prepared, batten the windows, collect water and emergency supplies.
  • Issue a Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in 12-24 hours. Evacuate low-lying areas or seek shelter. Time to act.
46
Q

What is the role of The ODPEM?

A

The role of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) which coordinates a network of agencies within the country, with the object of maximizing the preservation of life and the protection of property in times of disaster.

47
Q

State 3 emergency numbers that you can use if you were affected or at risk of being affected by a hurricane.

A

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

  • Police Rapid Response - 999
  • Tobago Emergency Relief - 211
  • Fire Service - 990
  • Global Medical Response of Trinidad and Tobago (GMRTT) - 811
  • Crime Stoppers - 800 TIPS (8477)
  • ODPM EMERGENCY - 511
48
Q

What are some responsible behaviors to practice in times of disasters?

A
  • stay calm
  • stay indoors or go to a shelter
  • prepare your home, personal items, yard, and car
  • have an evacuation plan
  • have food for 1-2 weeks and medicine for a month
  • have an emergency kit
49
Q

Name 5 things an emergency kit should have.

A

Any 5 of the following:
- Water
- Food (non-perishable)
- Can opener
- Medical supplies
- First aid kit
- Personal Hygiene
- Toilet Paper
- Batteries and Chargers
- ID and Documents
- Cash
- Rain Gear
- Pet Supplies
- Tools
- Battery operated radio
- Flashlight
- Fire Extinguisher.
- Extra Clothes

Geo (5 decks)

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