Lesson Plans

Hurricane Dynamics Implementation Sequence

Overview

The Hurricane Dynamics Implementation Sequence provides a series of lessons and activities for students to learn how hurricanes affect the different spheres within the Earth System by using maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
 

Materials Required

Procedure

Teacher Directions:

The Implementation Sequence is a guide to get you started with teaching your students about how hurricanes form and the effects they have on our environment. The lessons listed are for a five-day series.

  1. You will find one activity for each day. 
  2. The duration of the lessons varies from 30 to 50 minutes.
  3. The lessons include NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), learning objectives, and activities/assessments.
  4. The sequence provides a list of additional resources for you to use as an extension or modification to your lessons.
  5. To view the sequence in its entirety, print the Hurricane Dynamics Implementation Sequence
 
  • Analyze how a phenomenon changes with location
  • Analyze NASA sea surface temperature data to use as evidence to explain a phenomenon
  • Evaluate the usefulness of a model that shows the reach of a hypothetical hurricane
  1. How does a hurricane affect the different spheres within the Earth System?
  2. What are the effects of hurricanes on our communities?
  3. How can we use models to understand severe storms?
  4. How can we use math to characterize hurricanes?

Hurricanes are large, swirling storms with winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) or higher. That's quicker than a cheetah can run, which is the fastest animal on land.  They are said to be the most violent storms on Earth. These storms are also called by other names, such as typhoons or cyclones, depending on where they occur. The scientific term for these storms is “tropical cyclone.” Only tropical cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean or the eastern Pacific Ocean are called "hurricanes”. Whatever they are called, tropical cyclones all form the same way.

When Do They Occur?
Warm ocean waters provide the energy needed for a storm to become a hurricane. Usually, the surface water temperature must be 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a hurricane to form. The rate at which wind speed or direction changes with height is called vertical wind shear. Low vertical wind shear - winds that change very little going up through the atmosphere - is needed for hurricane development. High vertical wind shear - winds that are changing significantly with height - tends to rip storms apart.

Why does NASA study hurricanes?
Hurricanes are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) uses a variety of tools to predict these storms’ paths. These scientists need a wealth of data to accurately forecast hurricanes. NASA satellites, computer modeling, instruments, aircraft and field missions contribute to this mix of information to give scientists a better understanding of these storms.

  Source: My NASA Data| Hurricane Dynamics

Hurricanes are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) use a variety of tools to predict these storms’ paths. These scientists need a wealth of data to accurately forecast hurricanes. NASA satellites, computer modeling, instruments, aircraft and field missions contribute to this mix of information to give scientists a better understanding of these storms.

  • Internet Required

Complementary Mini Lessons

Complementary Pages

Not finding what you are looking for?