An Introduction to Hurricanes

Objectives for todayUnderstand the various factors that help to

create a hurricane.Learn the various stages in the life cycle of a

hurricaneLearn how weather forecasters track

hurricanes to warn peopleApply some of our knowledge to the current

weather events involving Hurricane Ike

Hurricanes – the wholeA hurricane is a

tropical cyclone, a large, swirling storm that produces lots of wind and rainHow do they move?What’s the eye?Why don’t they hit

Kansas?

What creates a hurricane?Origin of most hurricanesStart to become hurricanes

because of two main factorsLittle or no wind shear

allows a storm to gather its strength

The ocean gives the storm plenty of water to feed itself with

Where do they form?What’s the “life cycle” of a

hurricane?

How do we characterize hurricanes?Strength

Saffir-Simpson Scale

NamesGiven by the World

Meteorological Organization every year

Destructive storms have their names “retired”