Severe Weather Fayetteville, NC-Summer 2012 : Page 12
HUR R IC A NE S Tropical disturbances can churn into catastrophic monster storms. In the summer and early fall months tropical disturbances form, and if the weather conditions are ripe for their development — these swirls of thunderstorms can grow into monster hurricanes. The heat of the warm ocean waters fuels the storms, allowing an area of disturbed weather to grow into tropical depression, with winds of 38 mph or less, and then to tropical storm status, with winds 39 to 74mph. That’s when the storm officially gets its name. When a tropical storm’s maximum winds grow to 74 mph or greater, it becomes a hurricane. Hurricane winds may start at 74 mph, but they can intensify to catastrophic levels. The strongest being a Category 5 with winds exceeding 155 mph. In 2005, hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma all reached Category 5 status. Keep in mind that even a weak tropical storm can be very dangerous and preparations for your home should be made well in advance of the storm approaching. Though you might think the monumental force of 100-plus mph winds would be the most deadly effect of hurricanes, flooding is the leading killer in hurricanes. That is particularly true on the coast where storm surge, and abnormal rise in water generated by a storm, can occur. Even if you don’t live or vacation directly in a coastal area, the impact of hurricanes can still affect you. Strong hurricanes can cause flooding well inland from where the storm makes landfall. They can also spawn tornadoes and severe thunderstorms far from the coast. HOW DO HURRICANES GET THEIR NAMES? Hurricane names are selected by the World Meteorological Organization. The names alternate between male and female, and are derived from the languages that people speak in a particular part of the world. For the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, the names come from English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The cycle of names repeats every six years, except for when a hurricane is very costly or deadly. Then the name is “retired” and not used again. “Katrina,” “Rita” and “Wilma” are all examples of retired hurricane names. Photo ©iStockphoto.com/Chieh Cheng 12
Hurricanes
Tropical disturbances can churn into catastrophic monster storms. <br /> <br /> In the summer and early fall months tropical disturbances form, and if the weather conditions are ripe for their development — these swirls of thunderstorms can grow into monster hurricanes. The heat of the warm ocean waters fuels the storms, allowing an area of disturbed weather to grow into tropical depression, with winds of 38 mph or less, and then to tropical storm status, with winds 39 to 74mph. That’s when the storm officially gets its name. When a tropical storm’s maximum winds grow to 74 mph or greater, it becomes a hurricane.<br /> <br /> Hurricane winds may start at 74 mph, but they can intensify to catastrophic levels. The strongest being a Category 5 with winds exceeding 155 mph. In 2005, hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma all reached Category 5 status. Keep in mind that even a weak tropical storm can be very dangerous and preparations for your home should be made well in advance of the storm approaching.<br /> <br /> Though you might think the monumental force of 100-plus mph winds would be the most deadly effect of hurricanes, flooding is the leading killer in hurricanes. That is particularly true on the coast where storm surge, and abnormal rise in water generated by a storm, can occur.<br /> <br /> Even if you don’t live or vacation directly in a coastal area, the impact of hurricanes can still affect you. Strong hurricanes can cause flooding well inland from where the storm makes landfall. They can also spawn tornadoes and severe thunderstorms far from the coast. <br /> <br /> HOW DO HURRICANES GET THEIR NAMES?<br /> <br /> Hurricane names are selected by the World Meteorological Organization. The names alternate between male and female, and are derived from the languages that people speak in a particular part of the world. For the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, the names come from English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The cycle of names repeats every six years, except for when a hurricane is very costly or deadly. Then the name is “retired” and not used again. “Katrina,” “Rita” and “Wilma” are all examples of retired hurricane names.
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