|
Hurricane
Terminology
Tropical disturbance:
An area of disturbed weather in the tropics that
has the potential to develop into a tropical storm
Tropical depression:
A closed, low-pressure circulation at the ocean's surface in the tropics with
winds below 39 MPH
Tropical storm:
A closed, low-pressure circulation at the ocean's surface in the tropics with
winds from 39 to 73 MPH
Hurricane:
A closed, low-pressure circulation in the tropics with winds in excess of 74
MPH
Small craft advisory:
Small boats should stay out of the Gulf
Gale warning:
Winds in the range 55-74 MPH are expected
Hurricane watch:
Hurricane-force winds may strike this area within 24-36 hours
Hurricane warning:
Hurricane-force winds and high tides may strike this area in less than 24 hours
Hurricane scale
Hurricanes are rated on a numerical scale called the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale:
- Winds 74-95 MPH, storm surge 4-5 feet above normal high tide: Not damaging to buildings. Danger to mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees.
- Winds 96-110 MPH, storm surge 6-8 feet above normal high tide: Some damage to roofs, doors, and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes, vegetation, and small piers. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
- Winds 111-130 MPH, storm surge 9-12 feet above normal high tide: Some structural damage to residences and outbuildings. Mobile homes are destroyed. Damage by flood-driven debris is likely. Land less than 5 feet above sea level may be flooded as much as 8 miles inland. At this point, travel out of the west end would be impossible.
- Winds 131-155 MPH, storm surge 13-18 feet above normal high tide: Extensive wall and roof damage. Major beach erosion. Land less than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded as much as 6 miles inland. At this point, the entire west end would be under water.
- Winds above 155 MPH, storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal high tide: Extensive structural damage. Flooding as much as 10 miles inland. The 1900 storm was probably a category 5 hurricane.
This scale does not take into account tornados, which may be spawned by category 3-5 storms with winds exceeding 200 MPH. Much of the damage caused by Alicia was due to tornados.
Named storms
Tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico are are
named according to a six-year cycle agreed to by international treaty. The names
for 2005 are:
| Arlene |
Harvey |
Ophelia |
| Bret |
Irene |
Philippe |
| Cindy |
Jose |
Rita |
| Dennis |
Katrina |
Stan |
| Emily |
Lee |
Tammy |
| Franklin |
Maria |
Vince |
| Gert |
Nate |
Wilma |
|
