Prediction, Preparedness + Monitoring

Question 1

How is the magnitude of a tropical storm measured?

Answer 1

• using the Safari-Simpson Scale
• on a scale of 1-5 based on wind speed + thus power of the storm
• category 1 = 74-95 mph
• cat 3 = 111-129 mph
• cat 5 = 157 mph or higher

Question 2

Frequency of tropical storms

Answer 2

• from in northern hemisphere from June-November + southern hemisphere from November-April
• majority of tropical storms do not develop into strong storms + do not reach land
• tropical storms that are higher magnitude + reaching land are thought to be increasing in frequency

Question 3

Regularity of tropical storms

Answer 3

• irregular because although they occur in the same areas, their paths do not follow a set route
• the route taken is dependent on the storm + climate conditions

Question 4

Predictability of tropical storms

Answer 4

• satellite tracking of cloud formations + movement allows the general route to be predicted - the closer the hurricane gets the easier it is to predict
• storm surges can also be predicted based on the pressure + intensity of the storm
• from past storms + climate trends, the probability of a storm hitting an area can also be predicted = scientists have predicted how many years it will take for a tropical storm to hit certain areas

Question 5

How is the magnitude of tornadoes measured?

Answer 5

• Fujitsu scale is used to rate the intensity of the tornado based on the damage it causes
• scale goes from F0 (lowest rating) to F5 (highest)
• the scale contains 28 damage indicators which are used to make a judgement

Question 6

Example of scales in Fujita scale

Answer 6

• F0 = 40-72 mph = light damage = branches broken off trees , minor rooof damage
• F3 = 158-206 mph = severe damage trains overturned, cars lifted off the
• F5 = >200mph = incredible damage = strongly built homes completely blown away, items size of a car become missiles ground, well built homes lose outside walls

Question 7

Frequency of tornados

Answer 7

• most frequently in the US = average of 1200 tornadoes each year
• most frequent in spring, rare in winter

Question 8

Predictability of tornadoes

Answer 8

• predicting tornadoes is not 100% accurate but there are ways to monitor + spot warning signs
• favourable conditions for a tornado to devious can be monitored e.g. intense thunderstorms
• warning signs may be seen such as funnel clouds
• radars + weather systems can spot signs of a tornado forming or if a tornado is already on the ground = a Doppler radar detects a large rotating updraft in a supercell based on its shape