Glossary

Cyclone - Mass of air that rotates in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction.

Easterly waves - Belts of low pressure near the equator. They usually occur in ocean winds called Trade Winds.

Eye - Calm center of the storm, usually about twenty miles in diameter.

Hurricane Season - The typical time in the year when hurricanes form. Basically, it is the summer months.

Latent Heat - Energy given off by the rain fall.

Storm Surge - Huge waves cause by a hurricane. These coupled with strong winds bring about heavy property damage to coastal towns.

Trade Winds - Winds that blow very close to the equator.

Tropical Depression - A group of thunderstorms rotation cyclonically with winds of up to thirty-one miles per hour.

Tropical Storm - The final stage before a full blown hurricane forms. Same as Tropical Depression, but wind speeds can be up to seventy three miles per hour.

Wall Clouds - The clouds surrounding the eye of the storm. These clouds have the highest wind speeds and lowest pressure of the storm.

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