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Questions and Answers
How does the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale categorize hurricanes?
How does the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale categorize hurricanes?
- By the amount of rainfall produced by the storm.
- By the storm surge height at landfall.
- By the sustained wind speeds of the hurricane. (correct)
- By the diameter size of the hurricane's eye.
Which of the following is most likely to occur during a Category 4 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale?
Which of the following is most likely to occur during a Category 4 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale?
- Complete destruction of mobile homes and severe damage to well-constructed homes. (correct)
- Minimal damage to most structures with localized flooding.
- Roof and shingle damage to well-constructed homes.
- Minor roof damage and broken tree branches.
Why do hurricanes typically weaken after making landfall?
Why do hurricanes typically weaken after making landfall?
- The cooler temperatures on land destabilize the storm.
- They encounter increased wind shear over land.
- The supply of warm, moist air is cut off. (correct)
- Frictional forces from land slow the storm's rotation.
What conditions are required for a tropical storm to be upgraded to a hurricane?
What conditions are required for a tropical storm to be upgraded to a hurricane?
Considering the typical path of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic Ocean, what is a common initial direction of movement for these storms?
Considering the typical path of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic Ocean, what is a common initial direction of movement for these storms?
Flashcards
What is a Hurricane?
What is a Hurricane?
A storm that forms over warm ocean water with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale?
What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale?
A scale that classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speeds.
How do hurricanes weaken?
How do hurricanes weaken?
Hurricanes gain energy over warm water, then weaken when making landfall due to loss of energy source.
Category 5 Hurricane
Category 5 Hurricane
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What was the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900?
What was the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900?
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Study Notes
- Hurricanes gain energy over warm ocean water, reaching sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
- They occur in the warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico.
- Tropical storms are similar but have sustained winds below 74 mph.
- The U.S. hurricane season spans from June 1st to November 30th.
- Warm ocean waters evaporate, creating low-pressure areas that attract winds and fuel the storm.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
- Classifies hurricanes into five categories based on sustained wind speed
Category 1
- Sustained winds: 74-95 mph
- Damage: Possible roof, shingle, and gutter damage; potential damage to mobile homes; falling small trees and branches; power outages lasting multiple days
Category 2
- Sustained winds: 96-110 mph
- Damage: Major roof, shingle, and gutter damage; significant damage to mobile homes; uprooted trees; widespread power loss for days or weeks
Category 3
- Sustained winds: 111-129 mph
- Damage: Roof and deck damage; major damage to mobile homes; uprooted trees and broken branches; potential loss of water and electricity for days or weeks
Category 4
- Sustained winds: 130-156 mph
- Damage: Destruction of mobile homes and poorly constructed buildings; severe damage to well-built homes; uprooting of many trees; destruction of power lines; uninhabitable conditions due to loss of water and electricity
Category 5
- Sustained winds: 157+ mph
- Damage: Total destruction of mobile homes and poorly constructed buildings; destroyed roofs and walls in well-built homes; uprooted trees; uninhabitable conditions for weeks or months
Category 5 Hurricanes
- Characterized by catastrophic damage due to wind speed
- The deadliest in US history, the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, caused 8,000-10,000 deaths due to storm surge.
- Storm surge, heavy rains, strong winds, tornadoes, and flooding are effects.
Category 5 Hurricanes that Hit the US
- Hurricanes weaken upon making landfall (moving over land).
- Five Category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the United States:
The Okeechobee Hurricane (1928)
- Hit Puerto Rico and Florida
- Resulted in over 2,500 deaths.
- Caused $100 million in damage (equivalent to $1.5 billion in 2020).
The Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
- Hit the Florida Keys
- Resulted in 408 deaths.
- Caused $100 million in damage (equivalent to $1.9 billion in 2020).
Hurricane Camille (1969)
- Hit Louisiana and Mississippi
- Resulted in about 256 deaths.
- Caused $1.42 billion in damage (equivalent to $10 billion in 2020).
Hurricane Andrew (1992)
- Hit Florida
- Resulted in 26 deaths.
- Caused $27.3 billion in damage (equivalent to $50.4 billion in 2020).
Hurricane Michael (2018)
- Hit Florida
- Resulted in 16 deaths.
- Caused $25.5 billion in damage.
Examples of Hurricanes
- Tornadoes can form from hurricanes as the energy moves inland.
- Tropical Storm Fred (2021) caused seven deaths and $1.3 billion in damage, but was not a hurricane.
- Recent hurricanes include Hurricane Sally (2020), Hurricane Laura (2020), and Hurricane Dorian (2019).
Hurricane Path History
- Hurricanes typically form in the mid-Atlantic near the equator, moving north and west towards the Caribbean Sea.
- High pressure systems can push hurricanes west, leading to landfall.
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