Investigation 12: Hurricanes
- Page ID
- 44875
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Hurricanes and tropical cyclones are the largest-scale single extreme weather events on Earth. A single hurricane can range in size from 50 to 1000 miles in width. Typhoon Tip, the largest tropical cyclone in history, had a wind diameter of 1,380 miles. It can also have wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. Hurricane Patricia was the strongest tropical cyclone on record with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph! In a single 20-minute time period, a hurricane can release the same amount of energy as a 10-megaton nuclear bomb (about 700 times the amount of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima - NOAA). Unlike the comparatively smaller tornadoes, Hurricanes can affect large areas of land in a short amount of time, prompting large-scale evacuations in the most extreme cases. If you’re a traveler, you want to know what parts of the world are prone to hurricanes, and when. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you want to keep an eye on any storms present near your area, and if you’re an insurance broker, you want to know what locations are prone to the worst damage caused by a hurricane. Because of this, an accurate understanding and forecasting of hurricanes is a significant business in the United States and worldwide.
In 2018, Hurricane Michael underwent a period of rapid intensification, during which it transitioned from a relatively minor storm to a Category 5 hurricane—the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity scale, in just a few hours (Figure 12.1). In this investigation, we will track and forecast Michael's path as it approaches the Florida Panhandle region.
- Explain the different stages of tropical cyclone development, and discern the difference between a tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane.
- Determine the location, intensity, and forecast for a tropical cyclone using a National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone advisory product.
- Using the wind field of a landfalling tropical cyclone, determine where the strongest winds are located and how they relate to the cyclone's forward motion.
- 12.1: Where and how do hurricanes form?
- Tropical cyclone formation and characteristics are explored, highlighting a map of tracks and intensities. It notes that cyclones typically originate in warm, moist tropical areas, with notable absence in the South Atlantic and Eastern South Pacific. The page explains that cyclones cannot cross the equator due to the absence of Coriolis force, and emphasizes the necessary warm ocean temperatures and low wind shear for hurricane development.
- 12.2: Tracking and forcasting hurricanes
- Hurricane Michael's rapid intensification and impact on the Florida Panhandle in October 2018 is highlighted. It explains the Saffir-Simpson scale used for classifying hurricanes by wind speed, as well as the role of the National Hurricane Center in issuing advisories, watches, and warnings about storm conditions.
- 12.3: Air pressure vs. intensity for Hurricane Michael
- How hurricanes gain intense winds from changes in surface air pressure is explored here, focusing on Hurricane Michael's patterns. As the minimum air pressure decreased, wind speeds increased; however, as the pressure rose, wind speeds fell, indicating the hurricane's weakening. The weakening is attributed to the hurricane moving inland and losing access to warm waters.
- 12.4: Alternative Text Descriptions for Investigation 12
- A set of detailed alternative text descriptions for Investigation 12.
Thumbnail: Hurricane Michael, as it was making landfall in Florida. Hurricane Michael by NASA is in the Public Domain.