Hurricane Notes

I. Two kinds of storms

• Midlatitude
  • Big
  • Long arms
  • Low intensity
  • W to E
• Tropical
  • Small
  • Round
  • High intensity
  • E to W

II. What is a hurricane?

• Tropical low pressure center (depression)
  Winds in excess of 75 mph

III. Water cycle

IV. How does a hurricane work?

• Warm, moist air
• Air rises
• Condensation of water
• Heat is released
• More air rises
• Cycle continues

V. So what do hurricanes need?

• Warm water
• Long stretch of water
• Spin to get organized
• Not too close to the equator
• No strong winds aloft

VI. So where do hurricanes occur?

• North Atlantic
• West Pacific
• Some Indian Ocean
• A few in East Pacific