Hurricanes!

I. DefinitionsA. Tropical Depression: Area of low

pressure; sustained winds less than 39 mph. B. Tropical Storm: Sustained winds 39 –

73 mph.

C. Hurricane: Sustained winds 74 mph or greater.

1. Called typhoons in W. Pacific. 2. Cyclones in Indian Ocean3. Winds may extend as much as

150 miles from the eye, a low pressure center

4. Winds spin counterclockwise around the eye.

D. Damage often caused by storm surge, rain, flooding, or

tornadoes.

II. Hurricane namesA. Change on 6 year cycleB. Severe storm names are retiredC. 2005 most active year recorded

III. Saffir Simpson ScaleA. Used to measure hurricane’s

destructive potentialB. Categories

1. 74 – 95 mph: light damage, some flooding

2. 96 – 110 mph: moderate damage, trees blown over, flooding

3. 111 – 130 mph: extensive damage, flooding.

4. 131 – 155mph: roofs blown off, widows blown out, major flooding

Orange Beach, Texas, Hurricane Ivan, 2004

Crystal Beach, TexasHurricane Ike, 2008

5. 156 +++ mph: Yikes!

Retired Atlantic NamesCarol Hazel Connie Diane Ione Janet Audrey Donna Carla Hattie Flora Cleo Dora Hilda Betsy Inez Beulah Edna Camille Celia Agnes Carmen Eloise Anita David Frederic Allen Alicia Elena Gloria Gilbert Joan Hugo Diana Klaus Bob Andrew Luis Marilyn Opal Roxanne Cesar Fran Hortense Georges Mitch Floyd Lenny Allison Iris Michelle Isidore Lili Fabian Isabel Juan Charley Frances Ivan Jeanne Dennis Katrina Rita Stan Wilma Dean Felix Noel Gustav Ike Paloma Igor Tomas Irene