Hurricanes

Thunderstorms- Emily

Hey Cousin Christine!


Who knew thunderstorms were so common! We have gotten 5 in the past week, and there is soon to be a major storm coming. We are all freaking out down here in Delaware, including the dog who keeps barking out the window. I'm gonna loose it soon, but atleast i know what is happening up in the clouds.


We all know humidity is needed for a thunderstorm, considering there is rain most of the time. But they said on the weather channel that the higher the humidity the bigger a thunderstorm. The water in the air makes the air mass heavier (also causing big grey clouds). Warm temperatures make the air rise rapidly into the clouds. Now i know your just dieing to ask about the dew point but all i know about it is 60 degrees or higher your more likely for a storm. Causing this great big gigantic storm that will have me hiding under my blanket.


And if the rain wasnt bad enough there are high gusty winds in most thunderstorms but esspessially in severe storms, wind speeds can start at 58 mph or higher! That could shatter a window! The wind in the thunderstorm is caused by the rising of the hot summer/spring air and the hot air temperature changes to be chillier. Which makes outside all chilly and wet. But its not like it matters, only a moron would go outside in this type of weather. Even though there is a 1/700,000 chance to get struck by lightning it is still very frightening to just think about it. The voltage of the lightning can reach up to 600,000 volts.


Now incase you didnt notice, i said that most thunderstorms involve rain. You might be wondering what i am talking about, but i am serious! Some thunderstorms dont have rain just thunder, lighting, and winds. But any type of thunderstorm lasts about 30-60 minutes.

If you want more cool facts you could try going to this website. I highly reccomend you do, since this storm will probably be coming your way in Massacusetts. So i hope you know what to do in a thunderstorm? because i sure don't and i think this would be a good time to find out!

Love always,
Emily♥

Hurricane - John

Dear Uncle Randy,

Today we got bad news.

We are going to be hit by a hurricane.

Now don't freak out, right now were are trying to prepare ourselves for the storm. Now for some reason I was charged with the job of researching hurricanes but I don't see how that will help us. Although, looking up things about trying to prepare and survive might be a good idea. I'll do that later. Anyway, I've done the research and here's what I found: Hurricanes are basically tropical storms with winds so strong that the can rip you of the ground. They have wind speeds that range from 74-160 mph. There clouds come from condensation, oh and hurricanes are made up of cumulonimbus clouds. They need a moist environment to develop so that's why most hurricanes form over water and hit mainly the coast. Air preasure changes a lot in a hurricane. Well actually it slowly decreases due to the repetition of things heating and cooling.

Now let me explain how the are formed. Hurricanes start out as thunderstorms over water (or start from somewhere else and travel over water) because the heat from the water is the ultimate source for hurricanes. This rising warm air creates the clouds the reveal the hurricane. Then passing winds come around and go through the eye of the storm and come out the top where lighter winds steer the exiting winds in a circle formation.

That's what I've got so far. Next time I'll have stuff on preperation to show you what we have (or will) do for the coming storm. Right now I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. Bye.

Sincerly, John

P.S. Click here to go to a site about how hurricanes form, also where I got the pick.

Tornadoes - Josh

Hey guys! I'm really enjoying my stay at this ranch in Kansas. It's lots of fun and good times here. Well that is, until the other day when we found out something big is going to happen. There is a supercell thunderstorm headed our way. Normally that's good because it replenishes the water supply, but this time it's different. The air has been very humid and warm recently. That makes perfect conditions for the Earth's most powerful storm, a tornado! These storms form at the front edges of cold, east moving air masses. Our warm air mixed with the front's cold air makes for head spinning results. There is an updraft and the air starts to spin into a mesocyclone. Then a funnel cloud drops down from the storm's cumulonimbus cloud. (To see an interactive graphic about how a tornado forms, click here). The pressure drops and wind speed can be anywhere from 100-300 mph. This massive column of cloud can last 10 minutes or a few hours. We always have the radio on the hear updates on the weather. The sky is darkening in the west, it means a coming storm. Some signs to watch for include: dark, often greenish sky, large hail, and a large dark low lying cloud (especially if rotating). I also hear a loud roar, like a freight train. We are preparing to take shelter in the basement. I'll write again soon, if i make it...

Josh

Hurricane - Eric

Dear Uncle Bill,

As you know i live on the eastern side of the USA. You might not always get bad weather when you are on your boat in the Pacific Ocean. We are expected to get a major hurricane. They are going to call it Hurricane Eric. I feel special.

It first starts off as a small tropicl deppersion. A small strom that forms over the ocean. It might just die off and thats the last you hear of it. It can also become as tropical storm. It is stronger than a tropical deppresion but not as strong as a catorgy 1 hurricane. Then it might get up to a hurricane. There are different catogories of hurricanes. 1 being the lowest and 5 being the worst and most damaging.

They just don't come out of no where. There has to special cirrcumstances that have to bet so a hurricane storm can occur. It has to have a low pressure system. If the sea tempetures are cold the storm wont occur. You need warm sea tempetures. It has to have a moist ebviorment. Meaning there will be rain if a hurricane is forming. There has to be special wind patterens over the equator so it will spin and cause it to look like the picture I included in the above paragraph.

If you have any more questions about the storm go to this site to learn a bit more. Hope you guys are having a great time on your boat and hope to see you soon.

Love,

Eric

P.S. Hopefully the storm isn't too bad. :)

Tornado- Anthony

Dear Sarah,

The most incredible thing has happend, there has been a tornado warning for Phoenix, Arizona. Don't worry I'm fine for now until the tornado hits. You probably don't know much about tornado's since you're in Arizona, but ill refresh your memory.

A tornado is a column of air contracting with the ground and happens normally during a thunderstorm. Although mainly super cell thunder storms form a tornado. For a tornado to form air has to rise from the ground and rotate into a vortex. Tornado's normally come from funnel and wall clouds and can reach up to 300mph in speed. Also tornado's come from the front edges of cold moving air masses. If you would like to read more click here. Just don't worry about me I'll be fine.

Be home in a couple of weeks,
Anthony B

Hurricanes - Sarah

Dear Krithika,

You would never believe what is going to happen! Miami is supposed to get hit by a category 4 hurricane this weekend! It is said that there will be winds over 150 miles per hour! The hotel we are staying at may not be able to survive the storm, so we will need to move inland quickly. Don't worry though, we will be fine as long as we are prepared. Wait, you do know what a hurricane is, don't you?

The word "hurricane" came from the West Indians and literally means "big wind." To be considered a hurricane, it has to have winds of AT LEAST 74 mph, and they can even get up to almost 250 mph! They are known for their high winds, severe damage, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. And over 80% of deaths from hurricanes are due to drowning! Hurricanes form out in the open ocean in tropical regions of the world. It must be a very low pressure area, be exposed to a lot of sunlight, and the temperature of the water's surface must be at least 80 degrees fahrenheit to even have the possibility of a forming hurricane. Because of how warm the water is, it condenses into clouds. Warm air rises and when the wind is just right, the air mass begins to spin. It gains speed and more clouds begin to form. And I bet you don't know this: in the eye of the storm, the winds are the calmest, and there aren't any clouds! Most hurricanes have an eyewall of dense cumulonimbus clouds as well as cumulonimbus spiral arms. You can check out the NOAA website to learn more!

This hurricane is coming towards Miami at top speed, so I really have to go. Don't worry, we'll be fine. I'll keep you posted and let you know what is going on soon! Have fun on the rest of your Bahamas vacation! Hope to see you soon and stay safe!

Your Friend,

Sarah

P.S. - Hurricanes sometimes have a tendency to turn around, so watch out :)