By Maliwane Miller, Year 12
Seen as the most striking Atlantic storm in a decade, Hurricane Irma has caused widespread devastation across the southern part of the United States and many countries of the Caribbean, leaving approximately 55 people dead and 1.2 million people affected (according to BBC News). It is regarded as a category five hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, with winds climing as high as 259km/h.
According to scientist Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University:“Irma’s top wind speed were tied with the second strongest maximum winds of all time for an Atlantic hurricane”. Therefore, shattering Allen’s record for sustained winds. Irma maintained its maximum wind speed of 295km/h for longer than any other Atlantic Hurricane.
The perfect recipe for a hurricane is a tremendous amount of warm water, elevated levels of humidity and vertical wind conditions. Irma’s trail demonstrates these conditions by revealing its track; having plenty of warm water around the Caribbean and Florida, Irma grew strong very quickly. On September 2nd, Irma was considered a hurricane category 2, by September 5th Irma grew to category 5; in less than 3 days. Following these impressive changes on September 7th, Irma was soon followed by storm Jose and by storm Katia, around the Gulf of Mexico.
Moreover, shown by Nasa-National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Suomi NPP satellite, extremely cold and powerful thunderstorms appear across Irma’s eye; which is 56km wide; around its northern, eastern and southern side. These clouds appear at an altitude as high as 12.5km and as cold as -83.1°C, causing very heavy rainfall which are the source of various catastrophic consequences on the ground.
Irma’s power is continuously fueled by the sea’s temperature surrounding it. As you can see in the image below, the water surrounding Irma’s path is between 24.8°C and 30.8°C. Warm waters, along with wind speed and direction are key ingredients to sustain a hurricane.
After this catastrophic hurricane event, will the people of the world be able to build themselves up again? Losing their home is already too much, so what would happen if two hurricanes following Irma’s path were to hit them again? Such as, the threatening storm Maria, which is swirling towards the eastern Caribbean, and Hurricane Jose, which is nearly a category five storm.
