Hurricanes

Front

What is a hurricane?

Back

A hurricane is a large, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that produces strong winds and heavy rain. It forms over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage when it makes landfall.

Front

What conditions are necessary for a hurricane to form?

Back

Hurricanes require warm ocean water (at least 26.5°C), moist air, and low vertical wind shear to develop.

Front

What is air pressure?

Back

Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air above a surface. It is measured in millibars (mb) or inches of mercury (inHg).

Front

What type of weather is associated with high air pressure?

Back

High air pressure is typically associated with clear, sunny weather, often referred to as 'happy weather'.

Front

What type of weather is associated with low air pressure?

Back

Low air pressure is associated with cloudy, windy, and stormy weather, often referred to as 'lousy weather'.

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front is the boundary where a warm air mass replaces a cold air mass. It typically brings gradual increases in temperature and can lead to precipitation.

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front is the boundary where a cold air mass replaces a warm air mass. It often brings sudden temperature drops and severe weather, including thunderstorms.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as air, due to the rotation of the Earth. It causes hurricanes to rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the Saffir-Simpson scale?

Back

The Saffir-Simpson scale categorizes hurricanes from Category 1 (least severe) to Category 5 (most severe) based on sustained wind speeds and potential damage.

Front

What role does ocean temperature play in hurricane formation?

Back

Warm ocean temperatures provide the energy needed for hurricanes to form and strengthen. Cooler waters can weaken or dissipate a hurricane.