chapter 15. tropical weather noon sun is always high, seasonal temperature changes small daily...
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Tropical Weather
Noon sun is always high, seasonal temperature changes small
Daily heating and humidity = cumulus clouds and afternoon thunderstorms
Non-squall clusters, tropical squall line, tropical wave
Seasons defined by precipitation as opposed to temperature
Anatomy of a Hurricane
Intense storm of tropical origin with winds greater than 64kts; typhoon, cyclone, tropical cyclone
Eye Eye wall Spiral rain band Anticyclonic divergence Latent heat
Hurricane Formation and Dissipation The Right Environment
Tropical waters with light wind26.5°C sea surface temperatures (June-
November)Surface converge trigger (tropical wave)Coriolis effect: 5-20º latitude
The Developing StormCluster of thunderstorms around a rotating
Low pressureRelease of latent heat, divergence aloft
Hurricane Formation and Dissipation The Storm Dies Out
Cold water, land
Hurricane Stages of DevelopmentTropical DisturbanceTropical Depression (22-34kts)Tropical Storm (35-64kts)Hurricane (> 65kts)
Hurricane Formation and Dissipation Topic: Hurricanes and Mid-latitude
StormsHurricane warm core lowMid-latitude cold-core lowArctic hurricanesHurricane + upper level trough = mid-
latitude cyclone Hurricane movement
General track: west, northwest, northeastMuch variation
Naming Hurricane and Tropical Storms Process has changed over the years:
Latitude and longitudeLetters of the alphabetAlphabetical female namesAlphabetical, alternating female and male
namesRetirement (Katrina, Camille)
Devastating Wind, Storm Surge, and Flooding Highest winds on the eastern side of
storm (wind + speed of storm) Swell Storm surge on north side of storm (tide) Coastal flooding River flooding Hurricane spawned tornadoes Saffir-Simpson scale
1 weakest, 5 strongest
Some Notable Storms Observation: Atlantic Hurricanes 2004-
2005Abnormally warm ocean water and weak
vertical sheer allowed for high frequency of hurricanes
Environmental Issue: Hurricanes in a Warmer WorldNo clear answer, need more dataIntensity and frequency most likely to be
impacted.
Hurricane Watches, Warnings, and Forecasts Watch issued 24-48 hours before
hurricane expected to make landfall Warning issued when storm expected to
strike coast within 24 hours and probability of strike in a given location provided.