Weather Phenomena

By: Eleanor Joyce

City of Salem Schools

Hurricane activity in the United States.

http://www.usgs.gov/themes/hurricane.gif

Satellite view of a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea

http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/science/images/hurricane.jpg

Winds are breezy at the edge of the storm and increase to a Winds are breezy at the edge of the storm and increase to a

maximum in the eyewall. Winds are relatively light in the ‘eye’ maximum in the eyewall. Winds are relatively light in the ‘eye’ itself.itself.

Parts of the storm

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane TableTable

Sustained StormSustained Storm Resulting Resulting Winds Surge Winds Surge

DamageDamage

Category 1Category 1 74-95 mph 74-95 mph 4-5ft 4-5ft Trees/Power Trees/Power DownDown

Category 2 96-110 mph 6-8ft Sign, roof & Category 2 96-110 mph 6-8ft Sign, roof & building damagebuilding damage

Category 3 111-130 mph 9-12ft Widespread Category 3 111-130 mph 9-12ft Widespread damage/floodingdamage/flooding

Category 4 131-155 mph 13-18ft Buildings Category 4 131-155 mph 13-18ft Buildings destroyed/damageddestroyed/damaged

Category 5 155+ mph 19+ft Catastrophic Category 5 155+ mph 19+ft Catastrophic damage/floodingdamage/flooding

Categories 3,4 & 5 are major hurricanes!Categories 3,4 & 5 are major hurricanes!

Tropical storms need warm water(at least 80 degrees) to grow

The average hurricane uses as much energy in a day as the entire US in 6 months

Hurricanes can not be stopped with nuclear weapons or cloud seeding

Hurricane Facts

1. Wind2. Rain3. Storm Surge4. Tornadoes

Why are hurricanes so destructive?

Wind damage

No Utilities

Including lights, air conditioning, refrigeration, cooking, fans, television, stoplights, gasoline pumps, computers, clocks, banks (ATMs), freezers, refrigerators.

Water and sewage treatment centers are also disabled. This creates major health problems. Getting drinking water is a problem

No Utilities

HEAVYHEAVY

RAINRAIN

ANDAND

FLOODINFLOODINGG

IT RAINS ONE INCH PER HOUR

Slow moving storms can easily dump Slow moving storms can easily dump 15-20 inches of rain over a wide 15-20 inches of rain over a wide area. area.

Debris clogs sewers and drainage Debris clogs sewers and drainage ways.ways.

Flood waters contaminate drinking Flood waters contaminate drinking waterwater

High water forces insects, snakes High water forces insects, snakes and other wild animals to higher and other wild animals to higher ground (your home).ground (your home).

Flood damage not covered by home Flood damage not covered by home owners insurance.owners insurance.

Low pressure and converging winds raise sea levels under the hurricane. When the hurricane makes landfall, so does the higher sea level. Powerful waves ride on top of the surge.

Storm surge destroys coastal buildings and inundates barrier islands.

Storm surge can travel well inland through harbors, rivers, creeks and canals.

Storm surge is responsible for the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in US history, Galveston Is.

Storm Surge

Storm Surge

Tornadoes

Hurricanes often create tornadoes bringing even more severe damage to regions struck by hurricanes

Regions in the U. S that are in “tornado alley.”

http://www.usgs.gov/themes/hurricane.gif

Tornadoes are called funnel clouds

usgs photo

Map of South Asia and Southeast Asia showing the wind patterns of the winter and summer monsoons

http://www2.crl.go.jp/ck/ck121/windprof/image/monsoon.gif

Working in the rice paddies

http://www.nri.org/WSS-IWRM/Photos/India/paddy.jpg

•http://www.millenniumassessment.org/images/photos/rice.paddy.jpg

Residents of Asia and Southeast Asia depend on the Monsoon rains to grow rice.

Bangladesh is often flooded

during the monsoon season

http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/climate_change/napa/images/image-flood.jpg

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/atwork/emerg/images/Bangcard.jpg