GEOG 1112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Sea Surface Temperature, Southern Ocean, Westerlies
1 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Different strength levels of hurricanes are delineated on the saffir-simpson scale: category 1: 74-95 mph, category 2: 96-110 mph, category 3: 111-129 mph, category 4: 130-156 mph, category 5: >156 mph. * tropical systems have an average life span of from 7-10 days, but may last over 2 weeks. This covers from the first development of a tropical disturbance through to when a hurricane finally dissipates. Causes of destruction from a hurricane: winds: the strong, fast winds of the eye wall can cause great damage, as will any tornadoes which may develop within the eye wall or spiral bands. Even tropical storm strength winds can do damage. Storm surge is the abnormal rise of sea level and high waves along the coast as a result of the strong winds and low pressure associated with the hurricane. Storm surge often causes the most damage in coastal areas.
