|
WHAT IS A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE?
Hurricanes and typhoons are tropical CYCLONES that have maximum
sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). Atlantic and
eastern Pacific storms are called hurricanes, from the West
Indian word huracan ("big wind"). Western Pacific storms are
called typhoons, from the Chinese taifun, "great wind."
The primary energy source for tropical cyclones is the latent
heat released when water vapor condenses. Only extremely moist
air can supply the energy necessary to spawn and maintain
tropical storms, and only very warm air contains enough
moisture. Tropical cyclones, therefore, form only over oceans
with water temperatures of at least 27 deg C (80 deg F). After
they have formed, such storms tend to intensify when passing over
warmer water and weaken when passing over colder water.
Tropical Classification
Tropical Depression - (20-34kts and a "closed" circulation)
Tropical Storm (named) - (35-64kts)
Hurricane - (65+kts or 74+mph)
Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category 1 65- 82 kts (74- 95 mph); >980 mb
Category 2 83- 95 kts (96-110 mph); 965-979 mb
Category 3 96-113 kts (111-130 mph); 945-964 mb
Category 4 114-135 kts (131-155 mph); 920-944 mb
Category 5 >135 kts (>155 mph); 919 mb
Hurricane Web Sites
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Office of Emergency Information & Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
Tropical Storms, Worldwide
Hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones
NOAA Tropical
Prediction Center
The mission is to save lives and protect property by issuing watches,
warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous weather conditions in the
tropics.
USA Today - Guide to Hurricanes
National Weather Service
Headquarters
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
Atlantic Tropical Weather Center
Central
Florida Hurricane Center
Unisys Weather
Unisys Weather- Hurricane-Tropical Data for Atlantic
|
