Hurricane Strike! Science Worksheet 3

Watch the Weather Channel news flash (on the Castillo’s TV) ) and look in Storm Track (on the Castillo’s laptop computer) to find the answers to questions 1–2:

1. Where was Hurricane Erin at 5:00 PM on Tuesday August 1st? (Fill in the blanks with latitude and longitude numbers, and circle N. S. E. or W. for each. If you have a tracking chart, plot the location.)

Latitude: 26.5 N Longitude: 78.3 W

2. a. At 8 PM on Monday evening, Hurricane Erin was 644 kilometers southeast of . At 5 PM Tuesday evening, it was 177 kilometers southeast of Florida. How many kilometers had it traveled in that time period? (Fill in the blank.)

467 kilometers

b. How many hours had passed between 8 PM on Monday evening and 5 PM Tuesday evening? (Circle one.)

21 hours

c. What was Erin’s average speed in that same time period? (Fill in the blank.)

22.2 kph

Look in Hurricanes and Tropical Cyclones to answer questions 3–5:

3. Which way do the “Tropical Easterlies” blow? (Circle one.)

From the east toward the west

4. What is the strongest type of hurricane?

Category 5

5. A hurricane of what Saffir-Simpson category is likely to damage trailers and mobile homes?

All categories

Play the Aim a Hurricane game to find the answer to questions 6–8: NOTE: THE ACCESSIBLE TEXT VERSION OF HURRICANE STRIKE! HAS ALTERNATE VERSIONS OF QUESTIONS 6 AND 7.

6. In the Aim-a-Hurricane game, which combination of High, Low, and hurricane positions result in direct strikes on Kingston, ; Miami, Florida; and Wilmington, ? (Circle one L, one H, and one hurricane in the picture at right.)

7. In the Aim-a-Hurricane game, which combination of High, Low, and hurricane positions keep the hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, never letting it move past 75° west longitude? (Circle one L, one H, and one hurricane in the picture at right.)

6. (ACCESSIBLE TEXT VERSION) With the above locations of low and high pressure centers, which locations are most likely to be hit by a hurricane or tropical storm? (Check all that apply) [X] [ ] [ ] Florida [ ]

7. (ACCESSIBLE TEXT VERSION) With the above different locations of low and high pressure centers, which locations are most likely to be hit by a hurricane or tropical storm? (Check all that apply.)

[ ] Alabama [X] Cuba [ ] Florida [ ] Mexico [X] New York [ ] Texas

8. From what you’ve learned about how hurricanes move in both Hurricanes & Tropical Cyclones and the Aim-a-Hurricane game, why do you think it might be difficult to predict exactly where a hurricane might go? (Fill in the blank.)

Other weather systems affect the path. Winds around highs and lows steer the hurricane, and all these systems are also moving.

Help Camille get some extra emergency supplies from the market to answer question 9:

9. Explain why Camille purchased the following items.

Batteries Why? Batteries power the flashlight and radio if the electricity goes out.

Gallon Water Bottles Why? A hurricane may contaminate the water supply, shut off power to the water treatment facility, or it may damage the facility.

Canned Food Why? If power to the refrigerator and freezer is cut, the food may spoil. Canned food will still be safe. ______

Help Gilbert prepare the house and yard to find the answers to question 10:

10. Look at this picture of someone’s back yard. Some things in the yard could cause safety problems if they aren’t changed. For each item, write what should be done to prevent problems. (Write a short explanation in each blank.)

a. What should be done about the windows?

The windows should be boarded up or shuttered.

b. What should be done about the grill?

The grill should be stored indoors.

c. What stuff needs to be put away? (List 5 things.)

Bicycle, ball, pail, saw, branch trimmer, patio furniture, umbrella