DSM 2000 Chapter : Hurricanes
15 Mar 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Tropical (hurricanes, develop over tropical or subtropical water, 5-30 degrees latitude, energy comes from release of latent heat) vs. extratropical cyclones (nor"easter, develop over land and water, 30-70 degrees latitude) Low pressure system that originated in tropical regions with inward spiraling winds of counterclockwise rotation in the northern hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the southern hemisphere. The most intense tropical cyclones are known as hurricanes/typhoons. Warm water temperatures of at least 80 degrees fahrenheit (26. 5 degrees c) or warmer to a depth of at least 150 ft. High humidity in the lower to mid troposhere. Needs a weather disturbance (e. g. easterly wave) as starting point. Upper level troughs in the tropics and decaying frontal boundaries can result in tropical cyclones also. Commonly occur in north africa and move westward. Characterized by elongated areas of low air pressure. Wind speeds between 39 mph and 73 mph.
