GEOG306 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Hurricane Rita, Satellite Imagery, Sea Surface Temperature
24 May 2016
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Document Summary
Def: storms involving rotation in an intense low-pressure system which develops over warm, tropical waters. hurricane: Tropical cyclones have counter-clockwise rotation in the northern hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the southern hemisphere. Distribution and frequency: on average, 85-90 named storms per year (only ~10 affect n. america, northwest pacific greatest frequency. Bangladesh most vulnerable (7 of 9 deadliest cyclones) Formation of a tropical cyclone is called cyclogenesis. Homogeneous air: no conflicting air masses, warm air & sea. Start: as a low pressure wave, convergence at the surface. Lasts between 9 12 days (but can last up to 1 month!) The storm weakens and dissipates when cut off from its energy source (i. e. , warm water) Wind shear: wind shear destroys an emerging system of rising warm, moist air. Humidity: atmosphere must have high relative humidity to avoid drying out . Sea surface temperature: > 26 c, to a depth of at least 60m to provide the energy for the hurricane.
