Methods of data collection
Introduction
Hurricanes can be defined as storms accompanied by strong winds with speed equal to or more than 118km/h. A cyclone is typically a type of cyclone and is characterized by a rotating storm and usually originates from the tropically located oceans causing heavy rains and strong winds. Hurricanes can be very dangerous when they get into contact with the land such as; blowing rooftops and trees due to the strong winds and flooding at the areas near the coastlines due to the rise of the shoreline as a result of the hurricane power. Now that hurricanes are a threat to the human demography and their surroundings, it is necessary to find ways to be able to predict when they are due. It is essential to make necessary precautions such as migrating the masses form the areas likely to hit by the hurricanes. This paper looks into a research report concerned with the hurricanes and efficient ways to predict them.
The research used journals to get information about the formation of hurricanes and how they are structured. Besides, we used interviews with local meteorological departments to predetermine how the history of storms has been evolving. The third method used was a field excursion to the coast of Miami for the analysis of how the region was prone to hurricanes. In research carried out by Dr. Cione, it was concluded that the general theory on the storm was not that accurate. It is a finding that in addition to the ocean temperatures, the temperature of the air and moisture near the surface of the ocean were part of the energy supplies that sustained a hurricane. The general theory was based on the ocean temperature alone to cause and maintain the life of a hurricane.
Findings
The structure of a hurricane
A hurricane is always formed of three significant parts. The eye is the center of the cyclone which is usually characterized by calmness and is generally clear with wind speeds of 15miles per hour or less. The next part is the eyewall which consists of powerful winds and rains. The winds blow at a velocity of up to 200 miles per hour, and the region is the area surrounding the eye of the hurricane. The rain bands are the long bands of clouds that spin out of the eyewall. Winds in this region decrease outwards from the eyewall.
Causes of hurricanes
It was found that the water vapor that emanates the water surface is the fuel of hurricanes. When the water vapor condenses over the surface of the ocean, it releases the latent heat of condensation when it forms a cloud. The latent heat of condensation is used to warm the surrounding air. The air rises and is replaced by the cooler air. The cooler air will also warm and get less dense, thus increasing. The cycle continues repeating, and if the warm moist air is enough, it forms substantial storm clouds which will rotate along with the spin of the earth and the continuous rotation results a hurricane. The heat energy that is lost by the warm air is what was absorbed by the water when it was vaporizing. This heat is usually blown away by winds that blow on the top of the thunderstorm.
Intensity of hurricanes
Hurricanes have different powers of destructions and can be classified into different classes depending on their energies. The first category is for wind speeds between 74-95 miles per hour. Minimal damage and tree branches characterize it, shrubs and unanchored mobile homes dragged away. The second category is for wind speeds between 96-110 miles per hour. There are moderate damages caused, such as poorly constructed homes and some trees uprooted. The third category is for wind speeds between 111-130 miles per hour. There are extensive damages, including large trees, uprooted, small buildings damaged, and mobile homes destroyed. The fourth category of hurricanes causes extreme damages such as outer wall damages, and roofs fail in tiny houses, windows, and doors extensively damaged. However, mobile homes destroyed. Speed bracket for winds in this category is 131-155 miles per hour. The last type falls at wind speeds above 155 miles per hour and is characterized by catastrophic damage which includes complete roof damage in many buildings, several of them destroyed and mobile homes destroyed.
Regions prone to hurricanes
Among the most vulnerable towns to storms around the globe were Miami, Florida in the US, countries like China, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Madagascar, Cuba, Mexico, Australia, and Taiwan. The most hit region is the Abaco Island in the Bahamas which has been hit by 18 severe hurricanes since 1851. The rest of the planet is also prone to storms though at a smaller margin. The Eastern Pacific, such as the western coast of Mexico, also affected hurricanes in the past.
Analysis of the findings
From the findings, the structure of a hurricane is simple and uniform; thus, all hurricanes are the same. The storms though have different energies accompanying them, and therefore a right prediction of the power possessed by a cyclone is significant. The hurricanes have also been found to have been fueled by vapor which originates from the ocean water temperature. However, according to Dr. Cione, in addition to the water temperature, the warmth of the air and moisture around the ocean plays a vital role in sustaining a hurricane or even kicking it off. From the findings, we can derive several methods of predicting an impending storm so that we can take the necessary precaution to avoid the damages it may bring with it.
Predicting hurricane activity
Forecasting an oncoming hurricane cannot be done just by a single forecast model. The operation is done by several models resulting in several different paths which are expected to be followed by an oncoming hurricane. The process is done through the use of several models. However, weight is given to those models that produced more accurate weather results in the past. These data are collected by space satellites, space shuttles that observe the ocean conditions and buoys in the oceans. The observations may result in uncertainty since one cannot know the exact atmospheric conditions in an ocean, at the time of the model start.
Conclusion
Hurricanes hit the land, causing severe damages. Learning more about the may help one be prepared to handle when they are about to hit. The essay looked at the formation and behavior of the hurricanes, their causes, and how meteorological departments attempt to predict oncoming hurricanes. The future studies may focus on better ways to predict the oncoming hurricanes in a bid to establish refined ways of making accurate predictions when storms are about to hit.