What is a Hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical weather system with strong rain and winds. They develop over warm waters. The winds rotate around a center of low pressure called the eye. A hurricane has sustained (constant) winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. Meteorologists (scientists who study the weather) measure the strength of a hurricane based on wind speed. They use the Saffir Simpson Scale to rate each storm. Category 1 is the weakest and Category 5 is the strongest. A Category 5 hurricane has wind speeds of 155 mph or higher. Hurricanes often cause tornadoes and severe flooding from storm surges. A storm surge is an extreme and sudden rise of water created by a storm. Hurricanes develop over time. This gives families an opportunity to prepare and evacuate, or leave, if necessary. Meteorologists issue a hurricane watch when tropical storm force winds are possible within 48 hours. They issue a hurricane warning when tropical storm force winds are expected within 36 hours. Many Florida residents know the dangers of hurricanes and that being prepared is key. Many are on high alert during hurricane season, which is June 1 to November 30. Residents prepare by having an emergency plan, a disaster supply kit and appropriate amounts of food and water for each family member. They make sure their house is secured with storm shutters or plywood over the windows and doors. The Hurricane Hunters: The Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Have you ever wondered how we know so much about hurricanes before they ever make it to land? Well, it’s because as soon as a hurricane is “born,” the Hurricane Hunters go to work tracking the storm and gathering valuable information. The Hurricane Hunters are members of the Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. As a storm develops, they are called into action. They fly straight into the middle of the storm! Crewmembers take great risks flying their plane through the dangerous eyewall. The eyewall is a vertical wall of heavy winds and rain that surrounds the eye of the hurricane. Once they break through the eyewall, the crew measures the storm’s maximum (highest) wind strength and minimum (lowest) air pressure. They also find the exact latitude and longitude of the eye of the storm. They immediately send this information by satellite to the National Hurricane Center. The National Hurricane Center warns people of the strength and possible path of the hurricane. Knowing and sharing this information saves money, property and lives. The next time you hear about a tropical storm or hurricane on the news, you can thank the Hurricane Hunters for all that important information!

What is a Hurricane? possible within 48 ... - Studies Weekly · A hurricane is a tropical weather system with strong rain and winds. They develop over warm waters. The winds rotate

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Page 1: What is a Hurricane? possible within 48 ... - Studies Weekly · A hurricane is a tropical weather system with strong rain and winds. They develop over warm waters. The winds rotate

What is a Hurricane?A hurricane is a tropical weather system with strong rain and winds. They develop over warm

waters. The winds rotate around a center of low pressure called the eye. A hurricane has sustained (constant) winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. Meteorologists (scientists who study the weather) measure the strength of a hurricane based on wind speed. They use the Saffi r Simpson Scale to rate each storm. Category 1 is the weakest and Category 5 is the strongest. A Category 5 hurricane has wind speeds of 155 mph or higher. Hurricanes often cause tornadoes and severe fl ooding from storm surges. A storm surge is an extreme and sudden rise of water created by a storm.

Hurricanes develop over time. This gives families an opportunity to prepare and evacuate, or leave, if necessary. Meteorologists issue a hurricane watch when tropical storm force winds are

possible within 48 hours. They issue a hurricane warning when tropical storm force winds are expected within 36 hours.

Many Florida residents know the dangers of hurricanes and that being prepared is key. Many are on high alert during hurricane season, which is June 1 to November 30. Residents prepare by having an emergency plan, a disaster supply kit and appropriate amounts of food and water for each family member. They make sure their house is secured with storm shutters or plywood over the windows and doors.

The Hurricane Hunters: The Air Force Reserve 53rd WeatherReconnaissance Squadron

Have you ever wondered how we know so much about hurricanes before they ever make it to land? Well, it’s because as soon as a hurricane is “born,” the Hurricane Hunters go to work tracking the storm and gathering valuable information.

The Hurricane Hunters are members of the Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. As a storm develops, they are called into action. They fl y straight into the middle of the storm! Crewmembers take great risks fl ying their plane through the dangerous eyewall. The eyewall is a vertical wall of heavy winds and rain that surrounds the eye of the hurricane. Once they break through the eyewall, the crew measures the storm’s maximum (highest) wind strength and minimum (lowest) air pressure. They also fi nd the exact latitude and longitude of the eye of the storm. They immediately send this information by satellite to the National Hurricane Center. The National Hurricane Center warns people of the strength and possible path of the hurricane. Knowing and sharing this information saves money, property and lives.

The next time you hear about a tropical storm or hurricane on the news, you can thank the Hurricane Hunters for all that important information!