Hurricanes

Animated Guide: Hurricanes Cyclones Horrific Hurricanes How Does a Hurricane Form? Hurricane : Storm Science
 * When huge thunderstorms drift over warm ocean waters, hurricanes can form. Hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. When such storms form over the Western Pacific Ocean, they are called typhoons. But these storms are the same. Watch an animated video and guide to learn about the formation of hurricanes. Short animated illustrations demonstrate each stage. You will learn about the Saffir-Simpson scale categories and wind speed of hurricanes from this interesting animation.
 * URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk
 * Tropical cyclones are concerning weather phenomena for Australia. From the earliest history of Australia, these storms have wrecked havoc on vessels at sea and coastal regions, causing heavy casualties and damage. A tropical cyclone produces winds of at least 63 kilometers per hour. A "severe tropical cyclone" produces winds of at least 118 kilometers per hour, and is comparable to a hurricane or typhoon. Learn about the practice of naming cyclones and about "east coast lows."
 * URL: http://www.bom.gov.au
 * Hurricanes are born over warm water, and can build for weeks, and then damage islands and coasts with powerful winds and waves and hammering rains. Hurricanes have a force that can change the land and history of those who live near the ocean. They are called "cyclones" in the southern hemisphere. Explore how hurricanes are formed. Learn about the Coriolis Effect. Find out about the "eye" of the hurricane, as well as how hurricanes are predicted and tracked.
 * URL: http://whyfiles.org
 * The first ingredient needed to form a hurricane and a tropical cyclones is warm ocean water. This second ingredient is wind. These two ingredients form giant storms, which can cause devastation when they hit land. The term hurricane is used for large storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean. The scientific term for these storms is tropical cyclone. Read about the four stages of a tropical cyclone. View the fascinating movie of the development of Hurricane Katrina. This site also includes a fun spelling game, Whirlwind Disaster. You need to quickly rescue the letters before they drop into the eye of the hurricane.
 * URL: http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov


 * Hurricane : Storm Science is dedicated to the study of hurricanes. The site includes information on "Killer Storms" (hurricanes Hugo, Camille, and Andrew) and testimonials from people who have been hurricanes and lived to tell about it. There is information about weather patterns, weather instruments, and a section titled "Inside A Hurricane" that explains how hurricanes work. This site also includes information on the pilots and airplanes that fly into near hurricanes to study them.
 * URL: http://www.miamisci.org

Hurricanes


 * Powerful storms hit the American South in 2005, as Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Wind and flooding made Hurricane Katrina much worse than a thunderstorm, and many people had to be evacuated. Watching the news of people being rescued, reunited, and living in shelters can make you wonder if it could happen to you. Understand that although hurricanes are a danger if you live near the coast, they are rarely as bad as Katrina. Sometimes it's best to turn off the news and do something to help others.
 * URL: http://www.kidshealth.org

Hurricanes


 * Hurricanes do not occur in all parts of the world. "Hurricanes are tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean." People that live along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico in the United States, should know how to prepare for a hurricane. It is important to know the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning. This site provides valuable information on preparing an emergency kit and evacuation plans in the event of an approaching hurricane.
 * URL: http://www.ready.gov

Saffir-Simpson scale


 * Herbert Saffir was an engineer who helped create the five category hurricane scale. Robert Simpson was the Director of the National Hurricane Center. These two men worked together to create what is now known as the Saffir-Simpson scale. The scale is designed to describe a hurricane's strength and the amount of damage it can cause. This detailed article describes each category from category 1 to category 5. Information about some of the most recent hurricanes and the amount of destruction they cause in the United States is presented in this article.
 * URL: http://www.factmonster.com

Tracking Hurricanes


 * Before satellites were available, meteorologists had to use observations from ships and tropical island weather observations as well as radar to discover where tropical cyclones were forming. Thanks to the invention of and improvement in satellites, it is much easier to track hurricanes now. Find out what meteorologists have learned about hurricanes since they have been using images from weather satellites. This web site from the Weather Channel also discusses Doppler radar, reconnaissance aircraft and observation to track hurricanes.
 * URL: http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com

What is a Hurricane, Typhoon, or Tropical Cyclone?


 * Many people have heard the terms hurricane, typhoon, and tropical cyclone. But, people may not know that these terms are all closely related. Depending upon the region of the world where you live, you would be more familiar with either hurricanes or typhoons. Read the definitions for these storm terms on this hurricane research website. You will find a complete definition and description for the terms: hurricane, typhoon, severe tropical cyclone, severe cyclonic storm, and tropical cyclone.
 * URL: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov