The Phenomenon Of Tropical Cyclone

Introduction

Armstrong F. Sompotan, SSi / UNIMA/ ITB

Many holidaymakers are forsaking Mediterranean locations such as
Spain and Greece for longer haul destinations in the Caribbean and
the south-eastern states of the USA like Florida. Bermuda in place of
Benidorm, Miami instead of Magalluf!


A wise move it would seem; warm
tropical seas, high temperatures and
il hi h d
sunshine are guaranteed….

...but it is just these characteristics that make
Tropical cyclones such a danger in late
summer and early autumn.
Why???


In the west Atlantic and
Caribbean J l A
C ibb July, August
and September are the
months when most
hh
Tropical cyclones
(Hurricanes) occur.
(H i )


These intense storms are found in most tropical oceans; called
Hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean, Typhoons in the Pacific,
Cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Willy Willies in northern
Australia, they all originate in the same way.


Infra-Red
Infra-
Dark areas are
relatively warm.
Lighter areas are
relatively cold.
Question
Why are they so
y y
many clouds in
equatorial
regions?
g

Sompotan,

Focus / Questions

What is Tropical Cyclone?
How Tropical cyclones (Hurricanes) form and
move?
move?
What does cyclone need?
What makes it happen?
pp
Why does the system rotate?
What are the problems/damages caused?
problems/damages
How can these Tropical Regions prepare for
future natural disasters?
Sompotan,

Definition


Tropical Cyclones are defined by the
following characteristics:

• They are tropical, meaning that they are generated in tropical areas
of the ocean near the Equator
Equator.
• They are cyclonic, meaning that their winds swirl around a central
eye. Wind direction is counterclockwise (west to east) in the
Northern Hemisphere and clockwise (east to west) in the Southern
Hemisphere (more about this later).
• They are low-pressure systems. The eye of a hurricane is always
a low-pressure area. The lowest barometric pressures ever recorded
h
have occurred i id h i
d inside hurricanes.
• The winds swirling around the center of the storm have a sustained
speed of at least 74 mph (119 kph / 64 kt).

Parts of a Hurricane Armstrong F. Sompotan, SSi / UNIMA/ ITB
m M

Eye
E : Th l
The low-pressure, calm center of circulation
l t f i l ti
Eye wall : Area around the eye with the fastest, most violent winds
Rain bands : Bands of thunderstorms circulating outward from the eye
th t are part of the evaporation/condensation cycle that
that t f th ti / d ti l th t
feeds the storm

Hurricane Forms


Hurricanes form in tropical
regions where there is warm
g
water (at least 80 degrees
Fahrenheit / 26,5 degrees
Celsius), moist air and
converging equatorial winds.
Most Atlantic hurricanes begin
off the west coast of Africa,
starting as thunderstorms that
move out over the warm,

tropical ocean waters.

Warm sea
temperatures needed
f cyclones!
for l !

Loop of SST anomalies in the
Tropical Pacific


Stages of development of a tropical cyclone

Stage Description
A trough of low pressure in the trade-wind
Tropical wave
easterlies
A moving area of thunderstorms in the
g
Tropical
T il
tropics that maintains its identity for 24
disturbance
hours or more
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum
p y
T
Tropical
il
sustained surface wind is _38 miles/hour
depression
( _61 km/hour; _33 knots)
Tropical storm
p A tropical cyclone in which the maximum
p y
sustained surface wind ranges from 39
miles/hour (62 km/hour; >33 knots) to
73 miles/hour (117 km/hour; <64 knots)
Hurricane/ A tropical cyclone in which maximum
typhoon/ sustained surface wind is _74 miles/hour
cyclone ( _118 km/hour; _64 knots)

Sompotan,

Three events must happen for hurricanes to form:

• A continuing evaporation-condensation cycle of warm,
humid ocean air.
• Patterns of wind characterized by converging winds
at the surface and strong, uniform-speed winds at
higher altitudes.
• A difference in air pressure (pressure gradient)
between the surface and hi h altitude.
b h f d high l i d

Tracking a Hurricane
g

Satellite images and video are from Hurricane Wilma, a category 5 storm that devastated southern Florida in 2005.
Most i f
M t information was taken from Ch i ti Kid E l
ti tk f Earth d Space b St h i R d
by Stephanie Redmond and
dd
Christian Kids Explore E th and S
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/hurricane1.htm


Tracking a Hurricane
g

Satellite images and video are from Hurricane Charley, Aug 13, 2004
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/hurricane1.htm


Hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere rotate counterclockwise (west to east)
and move through the ocean clockwise (east to west).
In the Southern Hemisphere, hurricanes rotate clockwise (east to west) and
p ( )
move counterclockwise (west to east). These motions, known as the Coriolis
effect, are caused by the Earth's rotation.

Theory
y


Storm Parameters
The O
Th Ocean Response to Hurricanes is governed by the parameters of
R tH i i d b th t f
the applied atmospheric Forcing, which are given in this table.
(Geisler,1970)


Wind Stress
A common reprasentation of a Hurricane Wind Strees Distribution is
the Rankine Vortex (Chang and Athens 1978).

The tangential and radial Wind Stress components are given by :

Notes : Rmax is radius of maximum winds
Rout is radius to the outer edge of the Hurricane
g


Nondimensional Framework
An important nondimensional number in the mixed layer is the Burger
Number (M), which measures the importance of the horizontal pressure
gradients (Price,1983):

M = (1 + 1/S2)g’ h / (2Rmax f)2

Notes: S is the nondimensional storm speed (Uh/2Rmaxf)
h is the mixed layer depth
g
g’ is reduced gravity
Uh is the storm translation speed
2Rmax is ratio of the scale of the wind stress

Price (1983) suggests that the frequency shift above the local inertial
frequency {(σ-f)/f} is equal to M/2.


Ocean Current
Upper ocean current measurements are contaminated b storm-generated
U i d by d
surface wave. Sanford et al (1987) developed a least-squares model to
account for surface wave motion, which for the u-component of current
velocity is
um = [Au cos (σt) + Bu sin (σt)]ekz

Notes : Au and Bu are the least squares coefficients for the u-velocity componet (Table 17)
σ is the surface wave frequency (2π/T)
T is wave periode (nominally 5 15s)
5-15s)
k is the wavenumber (σ2/g)
g is the acceleration of gravity.

These current velocities are subtracted from the original AXCP current
p
profiles using the coefficients in Table 17 and 18.
g


CATEGORIES

SAFFIR-SIMPSON SC
S
SAFFIR-S M SON SCALE

Meteorologists rate hurricanes according to their
wind speeds. The higher the wind speeds, the
higher the category, the more severe damage
the hurricane will cause.
Category Sustained Winds (MPH) Storm Surge Effects Damage
Some flooding
1 74-95
74- 4-5 ft Minimal
Little or no structural damage
Trees down
2 96-110
96- 6-8 ft Moderate
Roof damage
Severe flooding
3 111-
111-130 9-12 ft Extensive
Structural damage in house
Severe flooding inland
4 131-155
131- 13-18 ft
13- Extreme
Major structural damage
Severe flooding further inland
5 > 155 > 18 ft Catastrophic
Serious damage to most
wooden strctures

Sompotan,

Hurricane names
Atlantic N
Atl ti Names
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 The World Meteorological
Organization names
Andrea Arthur Ana Alex Arlene Alberto
Barry Bertha Bill Bonnie Bret Beryl hurricanes, rotating between
Chantal Cristobal Claudette Charley Cindy Chris
men and women’s names.
Dean Dolly Danny Danielle Dennis Debby
There's 6 different name lists
ff
Erin Edouard Erika Earl Emily Ernesto
Felix Fay Fabian Frances Franklin Florence that alternate each year. If a
Gabrielle Gustav Grace Gaston Gert Gordon
hurricane does significant
Humberto Hanna Henri Hermine Harvey Helene
damage its name is retired
damage,
Ingrid Isidore Isabel Ivan Irene Isaac
Jerry Josephine Juan Jeanne Jose Joyce and replaced with another.
Karen Kyle Kate Karl Katrina Kirk
Lorenzo Lili Larry Lisa Lee Leslie
Melissa Marco Mindy Matthew Maria Michael
Noel Nana Nicholas Nicole Nate Nadine
Olga Omar Odette Otto Ophelia Oscar
No hurricane
Pablo Paloma Peter Paula Philippe Patty
names begin with
Rebekah Rene Rose Richard Rita Rafael
the letters
Sebastien Sally Sam Shary Stan Sandy
Tanya Teddy Teresa Tomas Tammy Tony
q,u,x,y,z.
Van Vicky Victor Virginie Vince Valerie
Wendy Wilfred Wanda Walter Wilma William

Eastern North Pacific Names
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Alvin Alma Andres Agatha Adrian Aletta
Barbara Boris Blanca Blas Beatriz Bud
Cosme Cristina Carlos Celia Calvin Carlotta
Dalila
D lil D
Douglasl Dl
Dolores Darby
Db D
Dora Daniel
D il
Erick Elida Enrique Estelle Eugene Emilia
Flossie Fausto Felicia Frank Fernanda Fabio
Gil Genevieve Guillermo Georgette Greg Gilma
Henriette Hernan Hilda Howard
Ho ard Hilary
Hilar Hector
Ivo Iselle Ignacio Isis Irwin Ileana
Juliette Julio Jimena Javier Jova John
Kiko Karina Kevin Kay Kenneth Kristy
Lorena Lowell Linda Lester Lidia Lane
Manuel Marie Marty Madeline Max Miriam
Narda Norbert Nora Newton Norma Norman
Octave Odile Olaf Orlene Otis Olivia
Priscilla Polo Patricia Paine Pilar Paul
Raymond Rachel Rick Roslyn Ramon Rosa
Sonia Simon Sandra Seymour Selma Sergio
Tico Trudy Terry Tina Todd Tara
Velma Vance Vivian Virgil Veronica Vicente
Wallis Winnie Waldo Winifred Wiley Willa
Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier
York Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda
Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke

These lists are also re-cycled every six years (the 2006 list will be used again in 2012).

Hurricane Wilma

Satellite images and video are from Hurricane Wilma, a category 5 storm that devastated southern Florida in 2005.


Satellite video are from Hurricane Wilma,
a category 5 storm that devastated southern Florida in
2005

Most information was taken from Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space by Stephanie Redmond
and http://www.weatherwizkids.com/hurricane1.htm


Hurricane Gilbert
(Jamaica)
(J i)

• September 12, 1988
• Tore directly through the island
• Caused inland flooding
• Destroyed crops buildings roads
crops, buildings,
• Damaged half of entire water supply
• Damage: $4 billion
• Casua y 5 people
Casualty: 45 peop e
• Homeless: 500,000 people

Hurricane G be t s Path
u ca e Gilbert’s at

Sompotan,

Hurricane Ivan
(Jamaica)

• September 11-12, 2004
• Caused severe wind and flood damage
• Looters roamed the streets of Kingston
• Robbed emergency workers at gunpoint
• Damage: $360 million
• Casualty: 17 people
• Homeless: 18,000 people


Hurricane Ivan’s Path
u ca e a s at

Sompotan,

Hurricane Ivan (USA)

Photo courtesy NOAA
Hurricane Ivan over the Gulf Coast of the United States
2:45 p.m. EDT, September 15, 2004
Sompotan,

Sompotan,

Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew as the most destructive and costly
Hurricane of all time. Andrew had devastated the holiday
coast of Florida between Palm Beach and Miami in late
August 1992, causing $18 billion worth of damage.

Hurricane Andrew’s path

Photo courtesy NASA
This photo is a composite of three days' views (August 23, 24 and 25, 1992) of
Hurricane Andrew as it slowly moved across south Florida from east to west.

Hurricane Katrina


In late August 2005 Katrina crossed Florida and entered the Gulf of
Mexico. Here,
Mexico Here fuelled by the high summer temperatures of this partially
enclosed sea, the storm intensified to reach a maximum 5 on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane scale. Once inside the confines of the Gulf its
movement became as unpredictable as a ‘bull in a china shop .
bull shop’


Katrina entered the Gulf Coast


Katrina hit New Orleans

When it hit the Gulf Coast of the USA at New Orleans wind speeds topped 150
mph and a 25-foot storm surge destroyed levees, flooding 80% of the city
25- levees city.
Almost 2000 people were killed, a million homes destroyed and $75 billion of
damage done to an area around the same size as the UK.
Sompotan,

Hurricane Katrina
August 29 2005
29,
Katrina made landfall near Buras-Triumph,Louisiana at 6:10a.m
160 MPH Winds
Torrential Rains
30 Foot Storm Surge
Tornadoes
90,000 Square Miles declared a disaster zone(the same size
as the UK.
Almost 2000 people were killed
Over a million people affected
The it f N
Th city of New Orleans is without th b i needs of lif Th
Ol i ith t the basic d f life. There
is no running water, electricity, or sewage. The standing water
is a breeding ground for bacteria.
The estimated cost of Katrina is said to be around 200 Billion
Dollars. could pay for 100 Space Shuttles or the War in Iraq.

Sompotan,

Hurricane Floyd

Photo courtesy NASA/GSFC
Photo courtesy NASA/GSFC
Hurricane Floyd, which hit the eastern United States in September 1999, was felt
Hurricane Floyd, which hit the eastern United States in September 14th 1999, was
y, p ,
from the Caribbean islands to New England It was a Category 3 storm that
England.
felt from the Caribbean islands to New England. It was a Category 3 storm that
brought intense rains and record flooding to the eastern United States and
brought intense rains and record flooding to the eastern United States and
Canada. Nearly 90 percent of the fatalities associated with this storm were
Canada. Nearly 90 percent of the fatalities associated with this storm were
drownings due to inland flooding.
flooding
drownings due to inland flooding.

Sompotan,

Hurricane Bertha

Photo courtesy National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Hurricane Bertha (July 1996) was also a Category 3 storm, but Bertha's
power and impact were contained in a much smaller area than Floyd's.
Sompotan,

Huriicane Grace

Satellite images from Hurricane Grace,
The Flemish Cap (Bermuda) 1991.

Sompotan,

Hurricane Mitch

Hurricane Mitch
east of Florida, US

Sompotan,

Hurricanes Over Western
Europe

A depression over Western Europe
Sompotan,

Western North Pacific Names
Contributor I II III IV V
Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika
China Longwang Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima
DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Maemi Meari
HK, China Kai-Tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on
Japan Tembin Usagi Kanmuri Koppu Tokage
Lao PDR Bolaven Pabuk Phanfone Ketsana Nock-ten
Macau Chanchu Wutip Vongfong Parma Muifa
Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Rusa Melor Merbok
Micronesia Ewiniar Fitow Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol
These names are
Philippines Bilis Danas Hagupit Lupit Talas
RO Korea Gaemi Nari Changmi Sudal Noru
also used
Thailand Prapiroon Vipa Megkhla Nida Kularb
sequentially. If the last
U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke
Vietnam Saomai Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca
storm of the year is
Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat
Cimaron, the first
China Wukong Haiyan Haishen Dianmu Haitang
DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona Mindule Nalgae
storm of the next year
HK, China Shanshan Lingling Yanyan Tingting Banyan
is Chebi.
Japan Yagi Kaziki Kuzira Kompasu Washi
Lao PDR Xangsane Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa
Macau Bebinca Vamei Linfa Malou Sanvu
Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar
Micronesia Soulik Mitag Soudelor Rananin Guchol
Philippines Cimaron Hagibis Imbudo Malakas Talim
RO Korea Chebi Noguri Koni Megi Nabi
Thailand Durian Ramasoon Hanuman Chaba Khanun
U.S.A. Utor Chataan Etau Kodo Vicete
Vietnam Trami Halong Vamco Songda Saola

Super Thypoon Cimaron

Duration May 7- 21, 2001
y ,
Intensity 50 kts (10-min), 985 hPa


Typhoon Chebi (Emong)

Duration June 19-27, 2001
,
Intensity 75 kts (10-min), 960 hPa


Typhoon Linda ( p g)
yp (Openg)

Typhoon Linda, after moving through the Philippines and the South China Sea, hit the
Malay Peninsula on November 3 1997. It restrengthened in the Bay of Bengal, but vertical
shear caused Linda to dissipate on the 9th. Linda caused 330 deaths from flooding and
heavy d
h damage.


Tropical Depression Barok

Duration April 18- 19, 2001
p ,
Intensity 25 kts


Tropical Depression Auring

Duration Feb 17-20, 2001
,
Intensity 30 kts


Tropical Storm Levi (Bining)
p ( g)

Tropical Depression 5W drifted eastward through the Philippines in late May The heavy
May.
rain it brought caused mudslides that killed 33 people. The depression continued
northeastward, becoming a tropical storm, and transitioning to an extratropical storm
on May 30 1997. From May 26-29 1997, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
y y , pp p , py
Astronomical Services Administration tracked the storm, and named it Bining.


Super Typhoon Paka (Rubing)
p yp ( g)

Paka remained a tropical storm until December 10 1997, when it was able to become a
typhoon. Five days later, Paka reached Super Typhoon strength, the eleventh of the
year. The next day it crossed over Guam, and on December 18, Paka reached a peak of
185 mph winds. Aft causing major d
h i d After i j damage across th smaller W t
the ll Western P ifi i l d
Pacific island
groups, Paka rapidly weakened and dissipated on December 22

Super Typhoon Isa

Isa very gradually intensified, and on April 20 1997 the typhoon reached peak 1-min winds of
70 km/h (165 mph), as reported by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Japan Meteorological
( p ), p y yp g ;p g
Agency reported maximum 10-min winds of 155 km/h (100 mph). After turning northward, it
accelerated to the northeast, and merged with a larger extratropical cyclone on April 24.

Super Typhoon Rosie (Elang)

On July 18 1997, Tropical Depression 10W formed near Caroline Islands. 10W was upgraded to Tropical
Storm Rosie and became a Category 5 Super Typhoon on July 22 1997. Rosie moved northward and began
to weaken Rosie made a landfall as a Category 1 typhoon at Shikoku Japan on July 26 Two people were
weaken. Shikoku, 26.
killed because of Rosie. From July 22-26, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration tracked the storm, and named it Elang

Super Typhoon Winnie (Ibiang)

On August 5 1997, a tropical depression formed near the Marshall Islands. It headed northwestward,
slowly strengthening to a tropical storm on the 9th. Intensification became more rapid as conditions
became more favorable, and Winnie reached typhoon strength on the 10th. 2 days later, it became
, yp g y ,
the 4th Super Typhoon of the season with peak winds of 160 mph. Soon after, the eye became ragged
and large, with an outer eyewall reaching 200 miles in diameter. On the 18th, a minimal Typhoon
Winnie passed north of Taiwan and hit eastern China,

Typhoon Amber (Miling)

By August 26 1997, Tropical Storm Cass formed to the west-southwest, which
accelerated Amber's forward motion to the northwest due to a fujiwara interaction It
Amber s interaction.
underwent eyewall replacement cycles from August 25 through August 27, and tracked
across Taiwan/Taipei with maximum sustained winds of 95 kts, then through the
Formosa Strait into China as a minimal typhoon. Throughout much of its duration,
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration tracked
the storm, and named it Miling.

Super Typhoon Oliwa
p yp

Oliwa rapidly strengthened on September 9 1997 to reach a peak of 160 mph winds; the
sixth Super Typhoon of the year. Oliwa slowly weakened as it moved westward, and hit
Japan on September 15 and September 16. It turned to the northeast, and dissipated on
September 17 after causing 7 deaths and widespread damage from flooding
flooding.


Super Typhoon Keith

Keith formed at low latitudes in the Marshall Islands on August 19 1997 It was one of ten TCs which
1997.
formed east of 160° E and south of 20° N — within the quot;El Niñoquot;. Keith was a recurving TC which
passed between the Islands of Rota and Tinian (only 50 nm (93 km) apart) on the west-bound leg of
its recurving track. NEXRAD imagery from Guam indicated the eye wall cloud of Keith never touched
land as it threaded the narrow channel between these two islands
islands.


Hurricane Damages

• Hurricane create inland flooding
•H i
Hurricane’s winds
’ id
• Hurricane push a wall of water (a storm surge)


Hurricane; Flooding

Hurricanes bring with them huge amounts of rain rain.
A big hurricane can dump dozens of inches of rain
in just a day or two, much of it inland. That amount
of rain can create i l d fl di
fi t inland flooding th t can t t ll that totally
devastate a large area around the hurricane's
center. Armstrong F. Sompotan, SSi / UNIMA/ ITB

Hurricane winds

• High sustained winds
cause structural damage.
These winds can also roll
Th id l ll
cars, blow over trees and
erode beaches
• Hurricane winds often
spawn tornadoes, which
are smaller, more intense
cyclonic storms that cause
additional damage


Hurricane; a storm surge

Bands of thunderstorms circulating
outward from the eye are part of the
water cycle that feeds the storm.

If the storm surge happens during a high tide,
it causes beach erosion and significant inland
flooding.


The Phenomenon Of Tropical Cyclone

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