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Hurricane Energy Process

Grade level: 5-8
Theme: water cycle
Video: hurricane_latent_heat.flv

This animation depicts the hurricane energy process. As water vapor is evaporated from the warm ocean surface, it is forced upward in towering convective clouds in the eyewall and rain band regions of the storm. As the water vapor changes from a gas to a liquid (cloud water), latent heat is released (shown by orange "blobs"). Red arrows show areas of low atmospheric pressure.

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) provides a closer look at hurricanes using a unique combination of passive and active microwave instruments designed to peer inside cloud systems and measure rainfall. TRMM allows scientists to study the combustion process in the hurricane engine and relate this process to intensification or weakening. (source)
 
Student Outcomes 
After viewing this video, students should be able to:

Explain the energy conversions found in the water cycle (e.g., evaporation requires heat energy, condensation releases heat energy). (W: 5-8)

Key:  C = climate / O = ocean circulation / T = 21st century technology / W = water cycle