Earth science
Title: Hurricanes
Information: Can you please provide information on hurricanes? What causes them and how they form? How are they are rated? Any historical facts regarding them would be appreciated. Hurricanes are powerful meteorological phenomenon, usually associated with "violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains and floods." (NOAA 2004) They require two key ingredients in order to form: warm water temperatures to supply moisture and weak winds at the upper levels of the atmosphere that allow the disturbance to organize. Many hurricanes actually originate over Africa as disturbances that strengthen as they cross the Atlantic Ocean. However, storms with hurricane potential may also form in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. When hurricanes make landfall, they can threaten personal safety and cause severe property due to storm surges along the coast, heavy rains and wind gusts. For detailed information on hurricane formation and monitoring systems, preparedness tips, historical facts, protocols for naming and classifying storms, photos, etc., please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) website: Hurricanes - http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/ Through AskNSDL,http://asknsdl.askvrd.org, Robert Cifelli of Colorado State University explained hurricane formation and how the Earth's rotation causes the counter clockwise rotation, which is characteristic of tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes. Answer posted March 24, 2004. http://asknsdl.askvrd.org/index.asp?id=8593 The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale allows forecasters to rate hurricanes according to wind speed and to "give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall." National Weather Service Tropical Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale - http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is directly involved with assisting hurricane victims. This agency's website, "FEMA for Kids: Hurricanes," offers facts, videos, games and educational resources/activities to help kids learn about hurricanes. http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurr.htm The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Emergency Preparedness and Response Center lists and links to information on "actions you can take to help maintain your personal health and safety during and after a hurricane." http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp Teachers, students, professional forecasters and anyone interested in learning more about hurricanes through training activities, online courses and other educational materials can visit the MetEd (Meteorology Education & Training) website. Be sure to check out the Hurricane Strike! module, which "received the 2004 American Meteorological Society's Louis J. Battan Author's Award (K-12 category)ÃÆ'ƒÂ¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'‚¦ for 'teaching hurricane science and safety with creative use of multimedia and exceptional meteorological quality.'" http://meted.ucar.edu/topics_hurricane.php "Hurricanes: the Eye of the Storm" is a Weather Channel "Special Report." It discusses hurricane formation and power, hurricane forecasting, vulnerable locations, naming hurricanes and historical facts. http://www.w3.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/hurricanes/index.html? The "Weather Dude," Nick Walker is a professional "on-camera meteorologist for the Weather Channel." You can review his answers to previously asked questions on hurricanes and tropical storms or click on the top link for "more about hurricanes." http://www.wxdude.com/tropical.html The Yahoo! Directory provides a comprehensive, current listing of websites that provide information on hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones. http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Earth_Sciences/Meteorology/Weather_Phenomena/Hurricanes__Typhoons__and_Tropical_Cyclones/ Hurricanes are a fascinating topic! Hopefully, these resources will help you find out everything you want to know about them. Sincerely, Joyce W. Last updated 09/29/04
Category: Earth science