WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HURRICANES & TROPICAL CYCLONES

AUG 19, 2009

TROPICAL CYCLONES
Marvin Bennett and Ken Tobin (CEES/TAMIU)

OVERVIEW
DEFINITIONS, CLIMATOLOGY, & HISTORY

HURRICANE HAZARDS

FORECAST PROCESS

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Tropical Cyclone Definitions

Tropical Cyclone is a generic term for a warm-core low pressure system that forms in the tropics or subtropics.

Tropical Systems are further categorized by a difference in their wind speed.

Tropical Cyclogenesis (Formation) To become a tropical cyclone several ingredients are needed:
Tropical Disturbance with thunderstorms Distance of at least 300 miles from the equator Ocean temperatures at 80F or warmer Abundant moisture - low and middle part of atmosphere Weak vertical wind shear

TROPICAL CYCLONES
BIRTH :
Nearly all tropical storms/hurricanes start out as a tropical disturbance - an area of unsettled weather in the tropics.

Tropical Storm Cyclogenesis (Formation) The conditions on the previous slide only occur close to the tropics (generally within 25o latitude) & during specific times of year!

Hence hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin is defined between June 1 and November 30.

The peak in hurricane season is around September 10th, which corresponds to the time when ocean water in the tropics reaches its maximum temperature.

Tropical Cyclone Definitions

Once a distributed area becomes organized this system becomes a Tropical Cyclone.

Tropical Cyclones are categorized by difference in their wind speed:

Tropical Depression = < 39 mph

Tropical Storm = 39 mph 73 mph Hurricane = > 74 mph Major Hurricane = > 110 mph (Cat 3 or greater)

Tropical Cyclone Evolution

Tropical Depression = < 39 mph

Tropical Cyclone Evolution

Tropical Storm = 39 mph - 74 mph

Tropical Cyclone Evolution

Hurricane = > 74 mph

Hurricane Isabels power initially focused attention on the storm, but its size, not power, ensured it would be destructive. Surfers loved the big waves rolling into Ocean City, N.J., on Monday, but when Isabel hit on Thursday, much larger waves were hitting much of the East Coast.

Tropical Cyclone Structure

Doppler radar showing hurricane main parts:
Eye Eyewall Rainbands.

Counter-clockwise rotation. In very center of the storm, air sinks, forming an "eye" that is mostly cloud-free.

FAMILY OF TROPICAL CYCLONES INFRARED SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPH AUGUST 28, 1996

Tropical Climatology

Points of Origin -- June

Storms favor the Gulf of Mexico & Western Caribbean

Tropical Climatology

Points of Origin -- September

Most active month of the hurricane season.

Texas Hurricanes - Galveston

LOUISIANA

Sep 8-9, 1900 8000+ killed $30M damage 20 ft. surge Max 135 mph Cat 4
MEXICO
Points of Origin -- September

TEXAS

* Galveston

Tropical Cyclone Hazards

Storm Surge High Winds

Inland Flooding
Tornados

Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Impacts

Storm Surge - simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. Advancing surge combines with normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide - can increase the average water level 15 feet or more.

Tropical Cyclone Impacts Cameron County

Storm Surge From SLOSH Model

Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Impacts

Heavy rains create inland flooding that results in fatalities and/or loss of property. An example is Hurricane Carla where in Jefferson County, 180 miles from the land falling storm, $17.5 million in damage occurred, with $14 million of it water damage. Rain totaled up to 19". Three to four feet of water flooded Port Arthur. Total damages from Carla estimated near $400 million.

Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Impacts

Tornadoes
Hurricane Carla had its greatest impact in Texas.
Twenty-six tornadoes were spawned one tore apart 120 buildings and killed 6 in Galveston Hurricane Beulah spawned over 100 tornadoes

Forecast Process
NWS Internet Site
www.srh.noaa.gov
Forecasts obtained by either postal zip code, city/state search, or by point & click maps Weather Information in clear, concise format Emphasizes local weather expertise

Forecast Process
TROPICAL STORM WATCH - A tropical storm watch is issued when tropical storm conditions, including winds from 39 to 73 miles per hour (mph), pose a possible threat to a specified coastal area within 36 hours. TROPICAL STORM WARNING - A tropical storm warning is issued when tropical storm conditions, including winds from 39 to 73 mph, are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.

Forecast Process
HURRICANE WATCH - A hurricane watch is issued for a specified coastal area for which a hurricane or a hurricane-related hazard is a possible threat within 36 hours. HURRICANE WARNING - A hurricane warning is issued when a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher is expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continues, even though the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity.

Forecast Process - Graphic Product

Note that the center line indicates the average of the forecast track.
Storm can end up any where in the cone & affect areas outside of the cone The size of the cone increases as the forecast period becomes greater

Tropical Cyclone Preparedness

Hypothetical Hurricane Carly Brownsville Landfall

Source: UT Space Science Center

Tropical Cyclone Preparedness

Source: UT Space Science Center

Brownsville

Brownsville / South Padre I. Mean Sea Level

Source: UT Space Science Center

Brownsville

Hurricane Carly 9/11 at 1500 CDT MEOW NW at 8 MPH Surge: 17.3 Feet

Source: UT Space Science Center