ATM OCN (Meteorology) 100

TROPICAL WEATHER SYSTEMS:
TROPICAL CYCLONES & HURRICANES

Summer 2000

Lecture #26-A Scheduled for:

1 AUG 2000 (T)

Recommended Readings from Moran and Morgan (1997):

pages 355-372.

Today's Lecture Objectives:

• To identify the typical characteristics, mechanisms and structure of a mature hurricane.
• To distinguish between the properties of a tropical cyclone and those of an extratropical cyclone.
• To distinguish between tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes and also the nomenclature hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones.
• To identify the conditions required for hurricane development.
• To locate the geographical regions where hurricanes typically breed and the typical tracks taken.
• To identify the seasonal variations in hurricane intensity.
• To sketch the sequence of events in the life cycle of a hurricane.
• To describe the movement of a hurricane.
• To explain why hurricanes are destructive and to identify the proper recommended steps needed for protection from hurricane hazards.
• To identify the factors used in specifying the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale.
• To identify the present hurricane forecasting efforts.

Outline:

A. INTRODUCTION

• Definitions and Tropical Cyclone Nomenclature
• The Tropical Weather Setting
• The Human Factor
• Naming Hurricanes
• Rationale
• Historical
• Modern International Convention

B. HURRICANE CLIMATOLOGY

• Overall Hurricane Characteristics
• Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale
• Geographical Distribution
• Seasonal Distribution
• Interannual and Long Term Variability

C. LIFE CYCLE OF A HURRICANE

• Overall Sequence
• Hurricane Formation
• Death of a Hurricane

D. STRUCTURE OF A MATURE HURRICANE

• Warm Core Characteristic Structure
• Winds Associated with a Hurricane
• Spiral Bands
• Eye Wall
• Eye of Hurricane
• Vertical Structure of a Mature Hurricane
• Hurricane Energetics

E. HURRICANE WEATHER

• Movement of a Hurricane
• Weather Sequences Associated with the Passage of a Hurricane
• Differences Between Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones

F. HURRICANE PUBLIC SAFETY

• Damage from a Hurricane
• Sources of Hurricane Induced Damage
• Hurricane Safety Rules - Minimizing Hurricane Damage
• Hurricane Detection
• Forecasting Hurricane Behavior
• The Problem
• Monitoring Hurricanes
• Short Term Forecasting and Dissemination of Information to the Public

Links to Other References:

• For Educational Resources
• Hurricanes and tropical storms from Athena
• Links to Hurricane and Other Tropical Weather Sites
• Hurricane module from Weather World 2010 (Univ. of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign)
• Maps of U.S. landfalling hurricanes of the 20th Century (From NCDC)