What Is A Hurricane?
Hurricane
Season:
From
June 1 - November 30
A hurricane is a tropical
cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is
accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise
circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified
as follows:
Tropical Depression:
Organized system of
clouds and thunderstorms with defined surface
circulation and max sustained winds of 38 mph or less.
Tropical Storm:
Organized system of strong
thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and
maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
Hurricane:
Intense tropical weather system of
strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface
circulation & max sustained winds of 74 mph or up.
What Are The Hurricane Hazards?
Storm
Surge
- Water that is pushed toward the
shore by the force of the winds swirling around the
storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal
tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can
increase the mean water level 15 feet or more.
Inland
Flooding
- In the last 30 years, inland
flooding has been responsible for more than half the
deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the US.
High
Winds
-
Hurricane force winds can destroy poorly constructed
buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs,
roofing material, and small items left outside become
flying missiles in hurricanes.
Tornados
-
Hurricanes can produce tornadoes that add to the storm's
destructive power. Tornados are most likely to occur in
the right-front quadrant of the hurricane.
What
Should I Do With a Watch or Warning?
When a
HURRICANE WATCH
is issued for your part of the
coast this indicates the possibility that you could
experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This
watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and
proactive measures should be initiated especially those
actions that require extra time such as securing a boat,
leaving a barrier island, etc.
When a
HURRICANE WARNING
is issued for your part of the
coast this indicates that sustained winds of at least 74
mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has
been issued, your family should be in the process of
completing proactive actions and deciding the safest
location to be during the storm.
I Would Like to Credit & Thank These Sites:
www.orcasystems.ca
www.wunderground.com
www.FLHurricane.com
www.sfwmd.gov
www.noaa.gov
www.accuweather.com
This
site is for general information only and not to be used for any official
forecasts. Weather is a hobby of mine (I live on Florida's West
Coast) and having a site for friends and family with as many useful
links for hurricane tracking and information is my objective. The
site costs money to host and donations help in these costs and the time
involved to keep it updated.
Link
Exchange:
www.weathershack.com
www.wx4dab.com




































