A hurricane is a huge rotating storm with very strong winds and lots of rain. Hurricanes form over warm ocean water near the equator. When warm moist air rises upwards, it is replaced by new air. This new air then also heats up and rises and the cycle continues, forming clouds that rotate with the spin of the earth. Most of the time, they happen out at sea. When they travel towards land, the impact can be devastating.
Tues 2am
Track
Hurricane Irma Forecast track, local times
USA
Havana Sun
2am CUBA
Sat 2am
2pm Fri HAITI
Caribbean Sea
: Figure 13.38 The path of Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma occurred in September 2017. It was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded. It was classed as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level of hurricane. Wind speeds were over 295 kph when the Hurricane hit the Caribbean island of Barbuda on 6 September and these wind speeds lasted for up to 37 hours.
The hurricane moved up into the state of Florida in the United States. When the hurricane reached Florida it had been downgraded to a Category 4 and wind speeds reduced to 210 kph.
DOM.
REP. PUERTO RICO
St Martin St Barthélemy Inagua
Mon 2am
Miami Bahamas
Crooked Island Fri
2am
Hurricane warning
Tropical storm warning
Hurricane watch
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Turks and Caicos Islands
Thurs 5am
British Virgin Islands
Anguilla Barbuda
: Figure 13.37 A satellite view of Hurricane Irma approaching Florida
: Figure 13.39 Damage from Hurricane Irma on the island of St Martin
DID YOU KNOW? September 2017 was the most active month for Atlantic hurricanes on record.
