GEG 104 – Weather & Climate – Fall 2005
Mini-Lab 4 - Hurricanes
NAME:
Objective: To explore and understand the basic science and behavior of tropical storms and hurricanes.
Outcomes:
• Ability to find and access general information and detailed data on tropical storms and hurricanes
• Interpret maps, satellite imagery, etc. to describe different types/intensities of tropical storms
• Track tropical storm paths over time and space
• Know how to find/use advisory information for storm impacts on local weather and flooding
STEP 1:
Boot your computer and/or verify that Windows is running. Open Internet Explorer browser.
STEP 2: Explore Hurricane Basics
Point your browser to the NWS Online Weather School (“Jetstream” link is on GEG 104 homepage)
The National Weather Service “National Hurricane Center” homepage also has lots of information
about tropical cyclones at: www.nhc.noaa.gov (look for links along left-hand column of page).
IN YOUR OWN WORDS…briefly answer the following questions as you work through the tutorial
on “Tropical Weather” within the Jetstream website.
1) What is the “ITCZ”?
2) How do winds along the ITCZ cause formation of clouds and large amounts of rainfall?
3) What is a “tropical cyclone”?
4) What sea surface temperature is required for formation of tropical cyclones?
5) Why do tropical cyclones form, or do not form, right along the equator?
GEG 104 – Weather & Climate – Fall 2005
Mini-Lab 4 - Hurricanes
6) Once a disturbance such as an “easterly wave” gets a small “seedling” storm formed, briefly
summarize the steps or processes involved in storm development (how does the storm grow?).
7) Once an eye forms within the storm, what conditions would you expect to find inside the eye?
8) Within what part or structure of the storm are winds the strongest?
9) How many miles wide is a typical hurricane?
10) What is the pattern of names given to tropical cyclones, and is YOUR name used to name any storms,
either current names in use or “retired” names from especially intense storms?
11) What are the major types of hazards from tropical cyclones?
12) Pick ONE of the above types of hazards and briefly explain HOW/WHY it causes damage.
GEG 104 – Weather & Climate – Fall 2005
Mini-Lab 4 - Hurricanes
13) Surf to the NWS National Hurricane Center homepage (www.nhc.noaa.gov) to define the following
basic categories of tropical cyclones/storms (look for the “Saffir-Simpson Scale” along the left-hand
column). Fill in the table for wind speed and damage associated with each type of storm. Storm types
are listed down the table in order of intensity and potential for damage.
Summary of Hurricane Intensity Categories and Characteristics
Maximum Surface
Wind Speed (range)
Storm Type
Average Storm Surge
(feet above normal)
Description of Damage
(use a key word or two)
Hurricane, Category 1
Hurricane, Category 2
Hurricane, Category 3
Hurricane, Category 4
Hurricane, Category 5
STEP 3: Focus on the 2005 North Atlantic Hurricane Season:
1) Use the NWS websites or other sites such as Unisys, Weather channel, and/or USA Today to locate
maps of storm tracks for the 2005 North Atlantic hurricane season. On the hurricane tracking chart
below, carefully plot and label all storms that hit the USA during the season.
50°N
50°N
IC
D A T M OS PHE
95°W
E
A
RC
ON A
T I
L
CE
O N AL O
NAT I
EN T O F C O
MM
E
N
PA
RT M
80°W
75° W
70°W
60° W
PQ
80 °W
55°W
50°W
45° W
40°W
35°W
30°W
25°W
20°W
15°W
10° W
PE
NB
SRB 17 V 00
ME
4 0° N
ON
NS
45°N
VT
NH
NY
MA
CT
10 0°W
40°N
65°W
NF
S ER V I
C
N I S T R AT I O N
.
U.S
DE
85°W
R
MI
45°N
90°W
EAT H E
W
R IC
AD
AN
100°W
AN
E
105°W
RI
PA
80° W
OH
40°N
60° W
4 0° N
40 W
°
40° N
MD
20° W
40° N
40° N
40° N
DE
WV
AZORES IS.
VA
NC
35°N
35° N
SC
MS
30°N
GA
AL
BERMUDA
LA
10 0°W
80° W
30°N
60° W
3 0° N
40 W
°
30° N
20° W
30° N
30° N
30° N
TX
FL
25°N
25° N
WESTERN
SAHARA
MEXICO
CUBA
10 0°W
20°N
20°N
2 0° N
20° N
CAYMAN IS.
80° W
HAIT I
JAMAICA
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
B.V .I.
PUER T O
RICO
BELIZ E
U.S.
V.I.
ST . K ITTS
and NEVIS
20° N
20° N
40 W
°
20° W
MAURIT ANIA
ANT IGUA
GU ADELOUPE
CAPE VERDE IS.
DOMINICA
GUA T EMALA
15°N
20° N
60° W
ANGUILLA
ST . MAR TIN
15° N
MAR TINIQUE
HONDURAS
EL
SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
SENEGAL
ST . LUCIA
GAMBIA
BARBADOS
GRENADA
TRINIDAD
COST A
RICA
10°N
10° N
PANAMA
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
105°W
5°N
100°W
95°W
90°W
85°W
80°W
75°W
70°W
65°W
60°W
55°W
50°W
45°W
40°W
35°W
30°W
25°W
20°W
15°W
5°N