1.Which condition is believed to be caused by El Niño and effectively weakens hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean?
*warm water temperatures
*high wind shear
*low wind shear
*high pressure
2.We only see hurricanes in the summer months because
*there is more rain in the summer.
*the winds are calmer in the summer.
*the water is saltier in the summer.
*the water is warmer in the summer.
3.Hurricanes in the Northern hemisphere always rotate:
*counter-clockwise
*clockwise
*there is no rotation due to the Coriolis effect
4.Check the boxes below that indicate possible damaging effects directly caused by a hurricane:
*low waves
*high winds
*tornadoes
*rip tides
*fires
*wind shear
*coastal flooding
5.Which of the following conditions describes the eye of a hurricane? Check all that apply.
*low pressure
*high pressure
*high winds
*calm winds
*higher water levels
*lower water levels
6.Which of the following lists the four steps of hurricane development in the proper order?
*area of low pressure, hurricane, tropical storm, tropical depression
*area of low pressure, tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane
*tropical depression, area of low pressure, tropical storm, hurricane
*area of low pressure, tropical storm, tropical depression, hurricane
7.Explain what the difference is between a hurricane watch and hurricane warning.
8.Explain how a storm surge forms and what effect this can have on the coastline.
9.Explain why hurricanes cannot form along the equator.
Maria -- we Jiskha tutors assist STUDENTS, we do not abet cheaters.
ANSWERS:
1. High wind shear
2.The water is warmer in the summer
3. Counter-clockwise
4. High winds, tornadoes, riptides, coastal flooding
5. Low pressure, calm winds, higher water levels
6. Area of low pressure, tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane
7. A hurricane watch announces that hurricane conditions are 'possible' within the specified area, whereas a hurricane warning announces that hurricane conditions are 'expected' within the specified area. A hurricane watch will be issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated arrival of tropical-storm-force winds whereas a hurricane warning will be issued 36 hours in advance. Both are announced a considerable time before hand because when the winds reach tropical-storm-force, it becomes more difficult to do outside preparedness-activities.
A hurricane/weather watch lets people know that weather conditions are favorable for a hazard to occur. During a weather watch, information is gathered and analyzed in order to raise awareness for any coming threats, hazards, or risks, It will allow people to prepare and plan in advance to be protected.
On the other hand, a hurricane warning requires immediate action. Meaning that the weather hazard is either going to happen very soon at any moment, or is already happening. In case of such events, it is important to have an emergency kit and medical supplies ready in advance and at hand as you head to a safe place. Both hurricane/weather watches and warnings are important, but warning are important as they require immediate action.
8. Storm surge is water that is pushed toward shores through the force of winds swirling around the storm. Normal tides combined with the advancing surge creates the hurricane storm tide, which raises the average water levels. Depending on the force of the winds (and the slope of the continental shelf), water levels may raise to 15 feet or higher than normal.
The rise in water levels can cause severe flooding in coastal areas (especially when there are normal high tides). Many people live among low-lying coastlines in the US, therefore it is very dangerous. It also damages ships, marinas, and boats.
9. Hurricanes cannot form along the equator due to the lack of Coriolis Force, which is the force that causes the cyclone to spin.
Links to info to learn:
Google "Jetstream online school for weather tropics" and open the link "NWS JetStream - Introduction to Tropical Weather". Once on the site, open tabs under tropical cyclones.
Google "national hurricane center prepare week" and choose the link "Hurricane Preparedness Week - National Hurricane Center". Once on the site, open "Hurricane Hazards" and "Watches and Warnings" under "Hurricane Preparedness"
1. The condition believed to be caused by El Niño and effectively weakens hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean is high wind shear. To understand how wind shear weakens hurricanes, we need to know that wind shear refers to the change in wind direction and/or speed with height. High wind shear disrupts the structure and organization of a hurricane, making it difficult for the storm to maintain its strength. As a result, the hurricane may weaken or even dissipate.
2. We only see hurricanes in the summer months because the water is warmer in the summer. To understand this, it's important to know that hurricanes derive their energy from warm ocean waters. Warmer water provides the necessary fuel and heat energy for hurricanes to form and intensify. Therefore, in the summer months when the water temperatures are warmer, there is more favorable conditions for hurricane formation.
3. Hurricanes in the Northern hemisphere always rotate counter-clockwise. This rotation is due to the Coriolis effect, which is influenced by the rotation of the Earth. The Coriolis effect causes moving air masses (like hurricanes) to be deflected to the right in the Northern hemisphere, resulting in a counter-clockwise rotation.
4. The damaging effects directly caused by a hurricane include high winds, tornadoes, rip tides, fires, and coastal flooding. High winds can cause structural damage, uproot trees, and create flying debris. Tornadoes can form within the hurricane system and cause localized destruction. Rip tides are strong and dangerous currents that can pose risks to swimmers and marine activities. Fires can be ignited by downed power lines or other electrical disturbances caused by the storm. Coastal flooding occurs due to the storm surge, which is the rise in sea level during a hurricane.
5. The eye of a hurricane is characterized by low pressure, calm winds, and sometimes higher water levels. The eye is the central area of a hurricane typically surrounded by a ring of intense thunderstorms known as the eyewall. The low pressure at the eye is the calmest part of the storm, with light or calm winds. Sometimes, the storm surge caused by the hurricane can elevate water levels, leading to higher water levels.
6. The proper order of the four steps of hurricane development is area of low pressure, tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane. Hurricanes start as an area of low pressure, where the air rises and creates a circulation. If the low-pressure system becomes organized with sustained winds of less than 39 mph, it is classified as a tropical depression. As the winds continue to intensify between 39-73 mph, it becomes a tropical storm. Finally, if the maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph or higher, it is classified as a hurricane.
7. A hurricane watch and a hurricane warning are two different levels of alerts issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area, usually within 48 hours. It is a signal for individuals and communities to start preparing and monitoring the storm closely. A hurricane warning, on the other hand, means that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area, typically within 36 hours. It signals that individuals should take immediate actions to protect themselves and their property.
8. A storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a hurricane, pushed towards the coastline by the force of the storm's winds. Storm surge forms when the combination of low atmospheric pressure in the hurricane's center and the strong onshore winds create a bulge of water, piling it up along the coast. As the hurricane moves closer to land, this surge of water can result in rapid and extensive flooding along the coastline. The impact of storm surge on the coastline includes erosion, destruction of structures, and inundation of coastal areas.
9. Hurricanes cannot form along the equator due to the lack of Coriolis effect. The Coriolis effect, caused by Earth's rotation, is necessary for the development and rotation of hurricanes. If a storm forms near the equator, the Coriolis effect is almost negligible, and the storm lacks the necessary rotation to become a hurricane. As a result, hurricanes generally form between 5 and 20 degrees latitude in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, where the Coriolis effect is stronger.