Map showing the projected path of Hurricane Frances (2004). Notice that the path becomes wider because there is more uncertainty about where the storm will go further in the future.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of NOAA
When and Where Will a Hurricane Form?
In some years there are many hurricanes. Other years there are only a few. Each year, scientists make predictions about what they think the hurricane season will be like. They can’t say for sure how many hurricanes there will be, but their predictions let people know what to expect.
To make the predictions, they look at how climate is affecting hurricanes that year. For example, climate events such as El Niño can affect the number of hurricanes. Hurricanes are affected by other climate signals that last for decades too. Scientists also examine the temperature of the ocean water because warmer waters may lead to stronger storms.
Once a hurricane forms other scientists make predictions about where the storm will travel. The path of a hurricane depends on weather. Scientists use weather models that track areas of high and low pressure and other weather factors to predict the path of a storm.
Scientists also watch a hurricane to know if it is getting stronger or larger. When it is far out to sea, they watch the storm using satellites. Special planes can also be flown into a hurricane to take measurements. Once it is close to land, Doppler radar and observations are used to monitor the storm.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
The
Fall 2009 issue of The Earth Scientist, which includes articles on student research into building design for earthquakes and a classroom lab on the composition of the Earth’s ancient atmosphere, is available in our
online store.
You might also be interested in:
How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable.
...more
Have you ever seen a weather map with a red L on it? This red L means there is a low pressure system over that area of the map. Just what does that mean? It means that that area has lower pressure then
...more
A satellite is any object that moves around another object. The Moon is a natural (not created by human beings) satellite of Earth. Over the past fifty years, we have figured out how to make new Earth
...more
The official "Hurricane Hunters" are part of the Air Force. They fly into hurricanes to get information. Scientists use this information to make forecasts. What information do they get and why is it important?
...more
The hurricane season in the North Atlantic is particularly strong this year. And scientists predict that the storms will be getting stronger because of global warming. Follow the links below to find out
...more
Why do the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and the Hurricane Research Division use different airplanes? Actually, they only use two main types. The top two airplanes in the graphic, the WC-130H Hercules
...more
Hurricanes are powerful and can cause lots of damage. They can change natural environments. They can also damage the places where people live, work and play. When a hurricane is over the ocean, wind and
...more
A tropical cyclone is a storm that forms in the tropics. A hurricane is one kind of tropical cyclone. In fact, it's the strongest tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones are given names by how strong their
...more
