10/30/98

Hurricanes

The official Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico hurricane season starts on June 1, ends on November 30, and averages seven named storms. Once a tropical storm exceeds wind speeds of thirty-nine miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) gives it a name. Names are given out in alphabetic order from rotating lists of male and female names. Before 1978, hurricanes were only given girl names. But I never considered this an insult to my gender. Before 1950, hurricanes were numbered, not named. Did the numbers feel insulted? Of course not!

Discovery Online: Hyper Hurricanes

No one knows for sure how to cook up a hurricane, but MIT meteorologist Kerry Emanuel offers this basic recipe: "... ocean water 80 degrees or warmer, super humid air, and a bunch of storms with thunder heads. Some assembly still required." Emmanuel flies into storm clouds to try to understand why some become hurricanes and others do not. On his computer, he creates simulations of the worst hurricanes imaginable: winds of 500 miles an hour, with water vapor and storm debris punching holes in the Earth's stratosphere. He calls these imaginary super storms "hypercanes."

Hurricane Hunters

Have I got a ride for you! The Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve are a one-of-a-kind Department of Defense organization that flies into tropical storms and hurricanes. Through the magic of cyberflight, you are invited to join their flight into the eye of Hurricane Opal. "Attention to storm briefing, crew. Things are about to get busy, so please minimize chatter. The navigator will be directing the aircraft until we get close to the eye, then Weather will take us in from there, with the Nav backing him up. Copilot, guard the autopilot, and kick it off if we get into severe turbulence."

Miami Museum: Hurricane Storm Science

"The worst part of the hurricane was not being able to find food. Everything blew away. We spent almost two days without any food." Meet the Benitez family of Homestead, Florida who survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992 by huddling together in a small closet. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster such as a hurricane, fire, flood or earthquake? You can add your story to the Healing Quilt. Also on display are instructions on building your own weather station, and an introduction to hurricane tracking.

USA Today: Hurricane Basics

"Hurricanes are classified into different categories according to the Saffir-Simpson scale." Hurricane basics in easy-to-understand language plus outstanding graphics and animations put this site at the top of the list. What else would you expect from "USA Today?" It is chock-full of links to articles on hurricane science, storm history, hurricane safety and hurricane hunters.

Weather Channel Tropical Update

Come to Weather.com for updates on the latest hurricanes such as Mitch, which reached category five on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on October 26. Only three hurricanes in history have been more powerful: Allen (1980), the Keys Hurricane (1935), and Gilbert (1988). The Saffir-Simpson Scale, developed in the early 1970s, is based primarily on wind speeds and estimates of barometric pressure. A category five hurricane is considered catastrophic.

Please send questions or comments to feldman@surfnetkids.com.