Formation of Hurricanes
What is the main factor in the formation of a hurricane?
Heated oceanic water.
What is the role of humidity in hurricane formation?
High humidity supplies the necessary moisture to sustain the storm, resulting in the formation of clouds and precipitation.
What type of cloud is linked to hurricanes?
Cumulonimbus clouds.
Which hurricane was among the most catastrophic in U.S. history, particularly impacting New Orleans in 2005?
Hurricane Katrina
In what manner does wind velocity influence the destruction inflicted by a hurricane
As wind intensity increases, so does the extent of destruction, resulting in fallen trees, power lines, and structural damage.
What is the required temperature of ocean water for hurricane formation?
The minimum temperature is 26°C (79°F).
What type of precipitation is prevalent during a hurricane?
Intense precipitation, encompassing deluge and thunderstorms.
The central region of the hurricane is referred to as the "eye." What are the weather conditions within the eye?
Serene and transparent, with minimal to no wind.
In which region of the world do hurricanes occur that are referred to as "typhoons"?
The Western Pacific Ocean, including regions such as the Philippines and Japan.
What type of winds are present in the outer bands of a hurricane?
Robust, yet less vigorous winds in comparison to the eyewall.
In which regions of the world's oceans do hurricanes originate?
Tropical and subtropical oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
In what manner does ocean temperature influence the intensity of a hurricane?
The higher the ocean water temperature, the more intense the hurricane becomes.
What is the maximum wind speed for a storm to be designated as a hurricane?
A minimum of 74 mph (119 km/h).
Identify a hurricane that transpired in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017.
Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma.
In what manner does the magnitude of a hurricane influence its effects?
Larger hurricanes can inflict damage across a broader region, resulting in elevated storm surges and flooding.
What is the initial phase of hurricane formation referred to as?
A tropical disturbance
Typically, temperatures near the eye of a hurricane are
Temperatures are higher than those at the periphery of the storm.
What is the term for the area of a hurricane characterized by the highest wind speeds?
The "eyewall."
What are the effects of hurricanes on human populations?
Flooding, devastation of residences, power interruptions, and fatalities.
(Bonus)
Question: What is the term for the rise in ocean water that is caused by the winds of a hurricane?
Storm surge.