METEOROLOGY • HURRICANE WARNING

Title: Hurricane Warning

(Longitude, Latitude)

Grade Level(s): 6-8

Introduction: Hurricanes create a sense of wonder in students of any age. Hurricanes are powerful storms which measure 200-300 miles in diameter. The winds near the center of a hurricane blow at speeds at 74 miles per hour, or more. The eye of a hurricane measures about 20 miles in diameter. Wall clouds surround the eye and the strongest winds and heaviest rain occur within these clouds. Hurricanes are areas of low pressure that form over oceans in tropical regions in either the North Atlantic Ocean or eastern North Pacific Ocean. This interest level allows for an engaging method in which to teach longitude, latitude, and graphing. By tracking a fictitious hurricane through the Atlantic Ocean, these skills are addressed in an authentic and meaningful manner.

Learner Objectives:

• The student will be able to track a hurricane on a map using longitude and latitude.
  
  
• The student will be able to understand the phenomenon of hurricane formation.

Florida Sunshine State Standards: Math: MA.E.1.3.1. Science: SC.D.1.3.3.

Competency Based Curriculum: Math: M/J-1 - V-2-A, M/J-3 - VI-2-A
Science: M/J-3 - III-4-A

Materials:

Hurricane tracking map
Activity sheet

Activity Procedures:

1. Begin with a discussion on hurricanes emphasizing local history, basic storm information, and vocabulary.
   
   
2. Review coordinate graph skills.
   
   
3. Discuss longitude and latitude using a hurricane tracking map.
   
   
4. Have a brief discussion involving the geography and population of the affected areas.
   
   
5. Give students the activity sheet and allow them to chart the hurricane, day by day, following the given coordinates.

Student Assessment:

Check student activity sheets for accuracy.

Activity Extensions:

Revisit hurricane path and issue the appropriate watches and warnings as the hurricane approaches the populated areas. (Remember that watches and warnings must be posted while people are awake and so that people have sufficient time to evacuate.)

Home Learning Activity:

Create, name, and chart a hurricane as it moves through the Atlantic Ocean.

Vocabulary: hurricane, wall cloud, eye of the hurricane, latitude and longitude

References/Related Links:

http://ww.2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/fw/sea/htg.rxml
http://noaa.gov/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/