High-Flying Science

Hurricane Tracking

Lesson 1 of 2

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Grade Level: 9 - 12

Subjects: Earth Science, Technology, Geography

Prep Time: < 10 minutes

Activity Duration: Two-three 50 minute - periods

Materials Category: Special requirements

National Education Standards

Science

Mathematics

Technology

Geography

ISTE

ITEA

5a, 7e

    

4c

4b, 7b, 15c

Objective:

To investigate the causes of hurricanes, how they are named and categorized, and to track a hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean.

Materials:

  • Student Sheets
  • Internet access

Related Links:

NASA Spacelink's Curriculum Support Earth Sciences

NASA Educator Guide: Our Mission to Planet Earth

Video Cassette from NASA CORE: "Hurricane Below"

NASA's Classroom of the Future presents "Exploring the Environment"

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High-Flying Science

Hurricane Tracking

Teacher Sheet

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Objective

To investigate the causes of hurricanes, how they are named and categorized, and to track a hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean.

Answers to questions

I.

  1. List three things necessary for a hurricane to form. Hurricanes are formed over tropical oceans where there are warm waters, humid air, and converging winds. Hurricanes start out as a group of storms that begin to rotate when they encounter converging winds.
  2. A tropical disturbance is formed when an organized area of thunderstorms holds itself together for at least 24 hours.
  3. A storm becomes a hurricane when the wind speeds reach 74 miles per hour.
  4. What year did each of the following hurricanes occur:

  1. In which part of the world are storms called:
    1. typhoons
    2. hurricanes
    3. cyclones

In the Pacific Ocean (west of the International Dateline), hurricanes are called typhoons. In the Southwest Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, hurricanes are known as cyclones. Most other areas of the world use the term hurricane.

  1. Hurricane Hugo's total cost in damages was approximately $7 billion, earning it the title of costliest hurricane in U.S. history up to that year (1989). What happened when Hurricane Hugo hit the Gulf Stream?
    Hugo intensified significantly prior to crossing the Gulf Stream off the Southeast U.S. coast. Hugo blew into Charleston, S.C., on the evening of Sept. 21, the autumnal equinox, with winds of 138 mph and a 20-foot storm surge on top of astronomically high tides.
  2. When is hurricane season in the United States?
    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The East Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30.
  3. How is a hurricane similar to a giant chimney?
    The wind in a hurricane is blowing in the same direction. This causes the ocean water to pile up. In the open ocean, the water can flow away under the storm. As the hurricane nears land, the water can't flow under the storm so it builds up-this is most of the storm surge. A smaller part of the storm surge is cause by the low pressure in the middle of the storm. The pressure in the eye is a lot lower than the rest of the atmosphere, so the atmosphere pushes the water into a bulge in the eye.
  4. Describe the stages of the life cycle of a hurricane. A hurricane's life cycle passes through three distinct stages: tropical depression, tropical storm and finally, a hurricane. A tropical storm must have maximum sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour to be classified as a hurricane.
  5. What were Hurricane Andrew's sustained wind speeds when it hit Florida? What was the cost of the estimated property damage?
    175 mph, $20 billion
  6. What do experts advise people to do who live in the path of a hurricane?
    If your home is on or near the coastline where the hurricane's destructive forces will affect it, pay close attention to what the local government and police force are recommending. You should also pay attention to radio and TV stations for the latest information.

    If evacuating your home is recommended:
    • Heed their warning!!
    • Plan ahead where you would go - it may be beneficial to choose a few places like an out-of-town friend's home, a designated shelter, etc.
    • Take the phone numbers of these places with you.
    • Take a road map in case the weather forces you onto unfamiliar roads.
    • Do not drive over standing water, as floods may have damaged the roads. YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW DEEP THE WATER REALLY IS!

      Take the following safety supplies and measures:
    • A first-aid kit and necessary medications.
    • Canned food and an opener, as this food lasts for long periods of time without needing refrigeration.
    • Plenty of water. (The Red Cross recommends 3 gallons of water per person to last 3 days.)
    • Flashlights, a battery powered radio, and extra batteries.
    • Raingear, sleeping bags, and protective clothing.

More complete information on this subject, as well as how to best prepare your house for a hurricane, can be gathered by contacting your local Red Cross chapter.

  1. What geographic and climactic conditions favor hurricane conditions? The ocean-water temperature has to be above 79 º F in order for a hurricane to be generated, so they normally form in late summer and early fall. Hurricanes begin as tropical storms over the warm moist waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans near the equator.
  2. How has modern technology helped us to better prepare for severe storms?
    Satellites are the common data collection method today. Meteorologists and the public also rely on hurricane hunters to learn more about the hurricane. They do this by flying aircraft equipped with weather instruments straight into the middle of these powerful storms. Both the Air Force Reserve based at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operates hurricane hunters. The two have a long history, making their first flights in 1944. Before satellites were put in space, these planes were the best and sometimes only source of information about a hurricane's position and intensity. Scientists on the plane relay the data they collect immediately to the Tropical Prediction Center for analysis.

II. Hurricane names

  1. How are hurricane names chosen from the six lists?
    Names are selected from these lists. Every sixth year, the first list begins again. Each name on the list starts with a different letter.
  2. Is your name on one of the lists? If so, in what year might a hurricane be named after you? Answers will vary.

III.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

IV. Hurricane tracking chart.

  1. Did Hurricane Mitch run ashore in the United States? If so, which state did it hit? west coast of Florida, Gulf of Mexico
  2. Did it strike any other countries or islands? If so, name them. northeast coast of Honduras, Nicaragua
  3. What category was Hurricane Mitch classified in? Category 5
  4. Describe the Emergency Hurricane Plan from FEMA. See web site:(http://www.fema.gov/library/hurricaf.htm)
  5. What happens to the Space Shuttle if it is positioned on the launch pad and a hurricane warning is issued for NASA Kennedy Space Center?
    The Space Shuttle will be rolled back from the launch pad if there is a possibility that wind could exceed a sustained velocity of 60 knots (69 mph).

Extensions

  • Have students research how geography and climate play a role in the formation of tornadoes.
  • Assign each student or pair of students to present an oral report on a particular hurricane or tornado.
  • Interview a person who has witnessed a hurricane or tornado.
  • Purchase and show the video "Hurricane Below" from NASA CORE.
    [An alternative if you have printed this out is to go to http://core.nasa.gov and search for hurricane.]