Knowra Hurricane Irma Hurricane Irma Hurricane Irma was a powerful Cape Verde hurricane that crossed the Caribbean and struck Florida in September 2017, causing catastrophic damage and widespread disruption.
Atlantic hurricane : A tropical cyclone that forms in the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico. Irma was part of this basin’s 2017 hurricane season.
Barbuda : An island in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, part of the Lesser Antilles. Irma’s eye passed over Barbuda, devastating buildings and infrastructure.
2017 Atlantic hurricane season : The Atlantic hurricane season in which ten storms became hurricanes, including Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Irma was one of three exceptionally destructive major hurricanes in this season.
National Hurricane Center : A United States agency that forecasts and tracks tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. The center issued Irma’s forecasts, advisories, and hurricane warnings.
Tropical cyclone forecasting : The prediction of tropical cyclones’ paths, intensity, and associated hazards. Irma’s forecasts improved as it approached, but uncertainty remained consequential for preparations.
Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale : A five-category scale that classifies hurricanes by their maximum sustained wind speed. Irma reached Category 5 intensity, indicating exceptionally powerful sustained winds.
Saint Martin : A Caribbean island divided between the French collectivity of Saint-Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten. The storm severely damaged settlements and infrastructure on both sides of the island.
Hurricane Maria : A powerful 2017 Atlantic hurricane that devastated Dominica and Puerto Rico after Irma. Maria struck parts of the Caribbean soon after Irma, compounding damage and recovery needs.
World Meteorological Organization : A United Nations agency coordinating international work on weather, climate, and water. The organization retired Irma’s name from Atlantic hurricane naming lists after the disaster.
Hurricane intensity forecasting : The prediction of how a tropical cyclone’s maximum winds will change over time. Irma’s rapid strengthening illustrates the difficulty of anticipating extreme intensity changes.
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