There are many reasons for someone to have an interest in becoming a storm tracker. It may be that person is living in an area that is prone to hurricanes or other severe weather fronts, or it may be that he or she has an interest in watching or chasing storms for other reasons. It is not difficult to become a storm tracker. The only thing you need is some background knowledge of categories of different kinds of hurricanes and storms and the correct software.
Types of Storms
The following terms are used to describe weather events:
- hurricane
- tornado
- tsunami
- thunder and lightening
- snow storm
- ice storm
- severe rain storms that can cause flash flooding and mud slides
There are phases that storms go through while developing into hurricanes. It is important to understand every phase of a storm to understand what is happening in the hurricane while tracking it. A good storm tracker must have some basic understanding of storms.
The beginning of a storm is usually a tropical wave or disturbance. At this phase, it is an unorganized thunderstorm with no wind or little wind circulation, When there is closed wind circulation in the center and it sustains wind at 20 to 30 knots then the phase moves to the level of a tropical depression.
The final phase is that of a tropical storm. The storm experiences speeds of 35 to 64 knots of sustained wind during this phase. When the speed of sustained wind exceeds 64 knots, then the storm becomes a hurricane.
Categorizing of hurricanes
There are 5 categories of hurricanes. With the increasing category, the effects of the hurricane become more severe:
- Minimal hurricane - In this category the wind speed is 64 to 83 knots and has storm surges of three to five feet.
- Moderate hurricane - In this category the wind speed is 84 to 96 knots and has storm surges of three to five feet.
- Extensive hurricane - In this category the wind speed is 97 to 113 knots and has storm surges of 9-12 feet.
- Extreme hurricane - In this category the wind speed is 114 to 135 knots and has storm surges of 13-18 feet.
- Catastrophic hurricane - In this category the wind speed crosses 135 knots and has storm surges of 18 feet or higher.
Storm tracking and watching weather is a whole science of its own, both for professionals or the more casual observer alike. There are many extensive books and courses out there to increase skills and knowledge to research and learn from this amazing force of nature.
Software for storm trackers
With the help of technology and the internet, you can find software which aids storm tracking. You can research and compare different software options from the comfort of your home. You can find software which is extensive and sophisticated that can be installed with home computers. They are quite similar to the programs or systems being used by professionals. In starting out, a person can pick a small tropical storm and see how it develops or fades away and dies out. It can be a fascinating process to watch the progression of storms with storm tracking software.
Resources: National Hurricane Center
Valerie Garner - Hi, I'm Valerie a midlife lady who loves to learn new things, photography, reading, writing, and drinking coffee with friends. I've ...
