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Atlantic Hurricane Information Page
2011 Storm Names: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katia, Lee,
Maria,Nate, Ophelia, Phillipe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince, Whitney
Advisory: A formal message from a hurricane warning office giving warning information together with details on tropical cyclone information, intensity and movement and precautions that should be taken. It is issued when a significant weather system is detected in the area.
Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement for a specific area, that a tropical storm or tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning: A warning for tropical storm conditions including possible sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63kt (39-73mph) (63-117kmh) are expected in the specified area within 36 hours or less.
Hurricane Watch: An announcement for a specific area, that a hurricane or hurricane conditions pose a possible threat within 48 hours.
Hurricane Warning: A warning that one or both of the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected in a specified area in 36 hours or less: (a) average winds 64kt (118km) (74mph) or higher,
(b) dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds may be less than hurricane force
Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible in the area: stay alert.
Flood Warning: flash-flooding is imminent; take immediate action.
Stages of development of a hurricane
• Tropical Depression: organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with at least one closed isobar and maximum sustained winds of 20 to 33 knots (23 to 38 mph).
• Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
• Hurricane: an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds = or > 64 knots (= >74 mph).
N.B: Sustained winds are defined as 1-minute average wind measured at about 33ft (10m) above the surface.
N.B: 1 knot(kt) = I nautical mile per hour or 1.15 statute miles per hour.
Meteorological Hazzards:
High winds determine how powerful the system is and how much storm surge and damage can result. Winds can reach 200mph or higher.
Heavy rain and flooding: after the hurricane makes landfall and the winds abate, rainfall amounts can become a major factor, leading to significant flooding.
Storm surge and tidal flooding are the most devastating and notable effects of a hurricane.
Storm surge is the rising wall of water that is pushed on-shore with a land-falling hurricane. It is more critical when it occurs at the time of high tide and is responsible for 90 percent of all hurricane related deaths.
Tornadoes: these may be the least thought of effects of a hurricane. They sometimes occur as result of the tremendous amounts of energy and instability created when a hurricane makes land-fall. They may be more prevalent on the north-eastern quadrant of a west-ward moving system. These are said to be minimal in strength when they
do occur in a hurricane.
Prepared By:
Barbados Meteorological Service Deputy Director & Meteorologist : Ms. Sonia Nurse
Posted: 2011-07-21