Hurricanes (Hazards and Disasters)

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What is a hurricane?
A low pressure weather system
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Where do hurrianes form?
Hurricanes form over tropical oceans where there is warm waters, humid air and converging winds.
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What direction to hurricanes spin in the northern hemisphere?
Anti-clockwise
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What direction do hurricanes spin in the southern hemisphere?
Clockwise
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When do hurricanes occur?
Hurricane season usually runs between the 1st June to the 30th November
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How often do hurricanes occur?
There are approximately 45 storms of hurricane force each year. Around 9 are major storms and 6 of those are hurricanes.
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What do hurricanes look like?
Circular rotating storms with thick clouds spiralling around a central clearer area or 'eye'.
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What is the 'eye' of the hurricane?
An area with a diameter of 30-60km at the centre of the hurricane where the skies are clear and the winds are light. The lowest pressure readings are found here.
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What is the eye wall of a hurricane?
A wall of clouds and thunderstorms that form around the 'eye'
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What are spiral rainbands?
Spiral rainbands are bands of thunderstorms which spiral around the hurricane
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Why are hurricanes named?
Hurricanes are named to improve security and communication.
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What is stage 1 of hurricane development?
The first stage is called tropical disturbance. An area of pressure slightly lower than the surroundings with clouds and some precipitation
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What is stage 2 of hurricane development?
Stage 2 is the tropial depression. There is a drop in pressure at the centre of the storm and the winds increase between 37-63 km/h
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What is stage 3 of hurricane development?
The storm gains strength as the central pressure continues to drop and the surface winds increase to between 84-118 km/h. The storm begins to resembe a hurricane in appearance
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What is stage 4 of hurricane development?
If the surface pressure continues to drop, the storm becomes a hurricane when wind speesds exceed 118 km/h. The storm has the familiar hurricane appearance.
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What regulates the movement of hurricanes?
It is closely related to global wind systems but is still very unpredictable.
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What are the main damage a hurricane can cause?
Flooding, storm surges and torcanoes.
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How is flooding caused and what effects does it have?
Heavy rains and ocean waters are brought ashore by strong winds which cause the flooding. Many cities drainage systems cannot cope with the quantity of water.
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What are storm surges and what do they do?
Storm surges are an abnormal rise in the level of the ocean. Storm surges can come ashore more than 5 hours prior to the storm and are usually responsible for many hurricane deaths, especially during high tide.
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Where do tornadoes occur?What do they do?
Small tornadoes form in the wall of the hurricane. It is difficult to distinguish the damage they make.
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Where do hurricanes occur?
Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean
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Where do typhoons occur?
The Western Pacific
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Where do cyclones occur?
The Indian Ocean
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What are hurricanes classified with?
The Saffir-Simpson scale.
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What does the Saffir-Simpson take into account?
Central pressure (hPa), Wind speed (mph), Storm surge (m) and the damage potential
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What is a category 1 hurricane?
A hurricane with a central pressure >980, wind speeds between 74-95 mph and a storm surge of 1.2-1.6m, it has minimal damage potential.
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What is a category 2 hurricane?
A hurricane with a central pressure between 965-979, wind speeds between 96-110 mph, a storm surge of 1.7-2.5, and the damage potential is only moderate
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What is a category 3 hurricane?
A hurricane with a central pressure between 945-964 hPa, wind speeds between 111-130 mph, a storm surge of 2.6-3.8m and the damage potential is extensive.
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What is a category 4 hurricane?
A hurricane with a central pressure between 920-944 hPa, wind speeds between 131-155 mph, storm between 3.9-5.5m and damage potential is extreme.
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What is a category 5 hurricane?
A hurricane with central pressure <920, wind speeds >155 mph, storm surge >5.5 m and damage is catastrophic.
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Does the size of a hurricane affect its intensity?
The intensity of tropical cyclones does not correspond to their size.
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What are the impacts of hurricanes?
Heavy rain, high wind velocities and low central pressure.
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What does heavy rain do?
Heavy rain causes secondary hazards of flooding and landslides.
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What are the average amounts of rain during a hurricane?
Approximately 100mm per day within 100km of the eye.
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Card 2

Front

Where do hurrianes form?

Back

Hurricanes form over tropical oceans where there is warm waters, humid air and converging winds.

Card 3

Front

What direction to hurricanes spin in the northern hemisphere?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What direction do hurricanes spin in the southern hemisphere?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

When do hurricanes occur?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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