A Junior Meteorologist Web Quest!
How many times have you seen winds up to 150 miles per hour swirling around you? The winds and rain you are seeing are called hurricanes. Combined with the force of the oceans, hurricanes produce enormous waves! These waves create huge floods and winds that can destroy cities and towns. As you drift farther and farther into a hurricane winds drop to only 74 miles per hour. When you’re in the 74 miles per hour range you are in the eye, the calmest part of the hurricane. Hurricanes start out as tropical storms, but then become horrifying swirling masses of terror. Most hurricanes form around the Pacific Region of North America and the Gulf of Mexico. The two main parts of a hurricane are the eye and the wall clouds. The eye is located in the center of the hurricane. A measurement of most hurricanes eyes is 20 miles in diameter. The wall clouds surround the eye. Wall clouds are much more dangerous than the eye. Most of the strong winds and the heaviest rain occur in the wall clouds. Hurricane Andrew was one of the most destructive hurricanes in the history of the United States. It ripped off roofs and slammed down cars. People screamed in horror as heavy steel beams fell to the ground like bouncy balls. During hurricane season meteorologists of the National Weather Service keep a close eye on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Most meteorologists look mostly at The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The National Weather Service sends out warnings and extreme caution to any area in which they think the hurricane might strike.	This picture was taken after hurricane Andrew destroyed the city of San Diego. This picture shows all of the parts of a hurricane. On September 14^th, a weather satellite took this picture. Most hurricanes move westward at first then they become stronger and become larger. Once they pass the equator hurricanes pick up speed until they get to their final destination. Many meteorologists conduct experiments during hurricanes. These experiments include trying to change the temperatures inside a hurricane, and trying to slow the winds down so they can conduct more experiments. Well I hoped you learned a lot about hurricanes in this report but I’m sorry to say that this is good-bye, but for more information check out the exciting websites down below.
If your looking for new and exciting facts and games about hurricanes go to http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurr.htm or http://pittsford.monroe.edu/jefferson/calfieri/weather/Storms.html these web sites will inform you, on everything you’ll need to know about hurricanes! Also check your local library for more information.