How do hurricanes form?

Scroll through the posts below to see information and expert links to hurricane formation, hurricane tracking, hurricane maps, hurricane preparedness kits — and more.

The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center provides the very latest hurricane satellite, radar, and aircraft reconnaissance; advisories; analysis tools; hurricane awareness FAQs, and much more.

You’ll also have handy information regarding hurricane hunters, Saffir-Simpson Scale, forecasting models, eyewall wind profiles, and storm histories, as well as extensive information about hurricane forecasts and forecasting — plus general climatology.

Visit the National Hurricane Center at:   http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

There are a variety of excellent Hurricane Trackers on the Web.  Check out these great resources:

www.HurricaneTrack.com
www.Stormpulse.com
Hurricane Tracker at MSNBC.com

Essential items for your hurricane preparedness kit:

Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days (stock up days prior to anticipated hurricane landfall)

Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items – for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag

— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Toys, Books and Games

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Tools – keep a set with you during the storm

Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

(above hurricane preparedness list courtesy of the National Hurricane Center)

You should also consider an FRS “Family Radio Service” radio that you can purchase from most general retailers (such as WalMart, Radio Shack, Staples) for approx. $15. For more information, including “How to use an FRS radio in a Hurricane Zone”, visit the National SOS Radio Network’s Web site at www.NationalSOS.com.

2011 Hurricane names for 2010 Hurricane Season (Atlantic Ocean):

* Hurricane Arlene
* Hurricane Bret
* Hurricane Cindy
* Hurricane Don
* Hurricane Emily
* Hurricane Franklin
* Hurricane Gert
* Hurricane Harvey
* Hurricane Irene
* Hurricane Jose
* Hurricane Katia
* Hurricane Lee
* Hurricane Maria
* Hurricane Nate
* Hurricane Ophelia
* Hurricane Philippe
* Hurricane Rina
* Hurricane Sean
* Hurricane Tammy
* Hurricane Vince
* Hurricane Whitney

2011 Eastern Pacific Hurricane names:

* Hurricane Adrian
* Hurricane Beatriz
* Hurricane Calvin
* Hurricane Dora
* Hurricane Eugene
* Hurricane Fernanda
* Hurricane Greg
* Hurricane Hilary
* Hurricane Irwin
* Hurricane Jova
* Hurricane Kenneth
* Hurricane Lidia
* Hurricane Max
* Hurricane Norma
* Hurricane Otis
* Hurricane Pilar
* Hurricane Ramon
* Hurricane Selma
* Hurricane Todd
* Hurricane Veronica
* Hurricane Wiley
* Hurricane Xina
* Hurricane York
* Hurricane Zelda

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that typically occur in the in Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  When ocean waters warm, water evaporates into the lower atmosphere.

According to Wikipedia, hurricanes “…feed on heat released when moist air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air.”  The released heat is called “heat of condensation”.  The released heat is “distributed vertically around the center of the storm. Thus, at any given altitude (except close to the surface, where water temperature dictates air temperature) the environment inside the cyclone is warmer than its outer surroundings.”

In a thunderstorm, the released heat of condensation is carried away by surrounding strong winds (also called “wind sheer”).  But when the winds are calmer, the heat can continue to build in the vicinity, creating an intense low-pressure system — leading to the birth of a hurricane.

Because of a phenomenon called coriolis force, hurricanes have counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/coriolis-understanding.htm

For more information on what causes hurricanes and how hurricanes form, visit the following Wikipedia reference page:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone

Animated hurricane image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)