Hurricane Charachteristics

G109: Weather and Climate Hurricanes Hurricanes Topics 1. Characteristics 2. Location 3. Structure 4. Development a. Tropical Disturbance b. Tropical Depression c. Tropical Storm Readings: A&B Ch. 12 d. Hurricane e. Influences f. Path g. Dissipation 5.... More

G109: Weather and Climate Hurricanes Hurricanes Topics 1. Characteristics 2. Location 3. Structure 4. Development a. Tropical Disturbance b. Tropical Depression c. Tropical Storm Readings: A&B Ch. 12 d. Hurricane e. Influences f. Path g. Dissipation 5. Destruction & Damage 6. Detection & Tracking 7. Saffir-Simpson Scale G109: Weather and Climate 13: Hurricanes Characteristics of a Hurricane Characteristics of a Hurricane • Hurricanes: ƒ Also called typhoons (in western Pacific) or cyclones (in Australia and Indian Ocean) ƒ Form over tropical oceans ƒ Have rotary circulation • Low pressure system • Counter-clockwise in northern hemisphere ƒ Have sustained wind speeds > 120 km/h • Sustained winds up to 350 km/h ƒ Diameter: 100-1500 km across (average 600 km) ƒ Pressure at center: ~870-990 mb (average 950 mb) Less