The Anatomy of a Hurricane

ANATOMY of a HURRIGANE LEFT FRONT QUADRANT RIGHT FRONT QUADRANT LEFT REAR QUADRANT RIGHT REAR QUADRANT RIGHT FRONT QUADRANT (NORTHEAST) The storm surge is strongest in the right front quadrant. Tornadoes can be produced from this quadrant. RIGHT REAR QUADRANT (SOUTHEAST) Here, the wind flows southwest to northeast. Depending on the track of the storm, storm surge flooding could be a factor. Tornadoes can also form from this area of the storm. LEFT FRONT QUADRANT (NORTHWEST) Here, the wind flows northeast to southwest. This is where winds blow offshore once the hurricane makes landfall. There is a lower risk for tornadoes and storm surge. LEFT REAR QUADRANT (SOUTHWEST) Generally, this is the weakest of the four quadrants with the main threats of rain and strong winds. CENTRAL PRESSURE WARM CORE EYE EYE WALL SPIRAL BANDS WARM CORE The air at the center of a hurricane is warmer than the surrounding environment, as opposed to non-tropical storms which have colder air in the center. EYEWALL This is an organized band or ring of convective clouds that surround the eye. It is the most intense part of a hurricane in terms of wind and rain. EYE This is a circular area of comparatively light winds, which makes up the center of a hurricane. Air sinks inside the eye, causing clouds to evaporate. SPIRAL BANDS Bands of showers and thunderstorms form around an area of low pressure. Normally, as the storm strengthens, the circulation expands and the wind field spreads along with the spiral bands. Spiral bands, also known as outer bands, can make landfall a day or two ahead of the system. CENTRAL PRESSURE This is the air pressure in the center of a hurricane. The lower the pressure is then the stronger a hurricane becomes. STORM SURGE NORMAL SEA LEVEL WIND SHOVES WATER TOWARD COAST STORM SURGE FLOODS COAST STORM SURGE An abnormal rise in sea level ahead of and accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. It is the additional height of water above the normal or astronomical high tide. AccuWeather.com Source: nhc.noaa.gov and nasa.gov