Lab 7: Hurricanes and Storms

GEO 302C

System A System B

 

 

 

2. Answer the following general questions about hurricanes.

a. Why do hurricanes generally weaken as they move northward?

 

 

b. Why do hurricanes move westward in the subtropics (i.e., equatorward

of 30º latitude)?

 

 

 

 

c. Draw a vertical cross-section of a hurricane. Show air motion using arrows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tropical Depression and Storm Classification:

Tropical Depression 20-34kts

Tropical Storm 35-64kts

Hurricane Classification
Saffir- Maximum sustained wind Minimum surface Storm Surge
Simpson   speed   pressure    
Category mi/h m/s kt mb ft m
1 74-95 33-42 64-82 greater than 980 3-5 1.0-1.7
2 96-110 43-49 83-95 979-965 6-8 1.8-2.6
3 111-130 50-58 96-113 964-945 9-12 2.7-3.8
4 131-155 59-69 114-135 944-920 13-18 3.9-5.6
5 156+ 70+ 136+ less than 920 19+ 5.7+