
The Weather Page
THE WEATHER CHANNEL
- MEXICO
http://www.weather.com/common/welcomepage/world.html?from=footer
Weather forecasts available for hundreds of Mexican cities.
© The Weather Channel
MEXICO WEATHER MAP
http://www.weather.com/maps/centralamerica.html
© The Weather Channel
LATEST WEATHER SATELLITE
PICTURE
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Direct link to EathWatch Weather On Demand.
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55450 U.S.A. All rights reserved.
CNN INTERACTIVE-MEXICO
http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/
Weather forecasts available for hundreds of Mexican cities.
© Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
USA TODAY WEATHER-MEXICO
Includes Mexico’s most important cities.
© USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
A) WEATHER MAP
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/forecast/international/mexico-temps-index.htm
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MEXICO HURRICANE CENTER
Mexico
has extensive coastlines on the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean,
the Caribbean, and the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez. Every
summer there is a chance that a hurricane (huracan in Spanish) originating
on the Atlantic Ocean may reach either the Caribbean or the Gulf
of Mexico. On the Pacific Ocean hurricanes are known as cyclones
(ciclon in Spanish.)
The following links provide useful information
on tropical cyclones worldwide. We have linked to the particular
pages pertaining to Mexico. These sites will be extremely busy during
a hurricane, cyclone or tropical storm. Data supplied may not be
accurate. Do not rely on it for life or death decisions.
TROPICAL STORMS
WORLDWIDE
http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html
Copyright © 1996 Thomas R. Metcalf. All rights reserved.
Includes useful information:
THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
This site maintains a continuous watch on tropical cyclones over
the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific
from May 15 through November 30.
HURRICANE FACTS
AND FIGURES
http://www.cnn.com/weather/storm.center/
Storm names, hurricane tips, probability map, related sites and
newsgroups.
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HURRICANE ALERT!
What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a large, rotating storm with strong
winds blowing at speeds of 74 miles an hour (120 km/h) or more around
a relatively calm center called the eye. It blows counterclockwise
in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
The whole storm system may be some 5 to 6 miles (8 to 10 km) high
and 300 to 600 miles (500 to 900 km) wide and moves forward, like
an immense spinning top, at speeds about 12 miles an hour (20 km/h).
These storms also called tropical cyclones and
typhoons in certain regions of the world, can dominate the atmosphere
and earth's surface over tens of thousands of square miles. Starting
in certain seasons at low latitudes in tropical oceans near the
equator, these hurricane systems usually move forward in a westerly
direction parallel to the equator. They pick up speed as they develop
and gradually swing toward the poles. Some hurricanes continue traveling
toward the west; others recurve and move back toward the east before
they die out. Because of their considerable size and intensity,
and because they last for several days or even weeks, hurricanes
cause extensive damage with their heavy winds, rains, floods, high
waves, and tides.
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When a Storm Becomes a Hurricane
Generally known as Hurricanes, the Tropical Cyclones
include Tropical Depressions, Tropical Storms, Hurricanes and Cyclones.
They originate when the tropical waters of the World's oceans begin
to warm up. An area of thunderstorms moving across warm tropical
waters may begin to spin due to the earth's rotation and may evolve
into strong winds of counter-clockwise rotation (in the Northern
Hemisphere). if the winds increase and the storms remain organized,
a tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane or cyclone may
form.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION
A cyclonic circulation with sustained winds up to 38 mph. (60 km/h).
TROPICAL STORM
A cyclonic circulation with sustained winds of 39 mph up to 73 mph.
(60 to 118 km/h).
HURRICANE AND CYCLONE
A cyclonic circulation with sustained winds of 74 mph (120 km/h).
or greater.
Saffir-Simpson Scale
of intensity
Category 1 74-95 mph winds Damage minimal Damage minimal
Category 2 96-110 mph winds Damage moderate Damage moderate
Category 3 111-130 mph winds Damage extensive Damage extensive
Category 4 131-155 mph winds Damage extreme Damage extreme
Category 5 156 mph and higher Damage catastrophic
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Early Warning
TROPICAL CYCLONE
ADVISORY - When you hear the first tropical cyclone advisory,
listen for future messages. This early warning system will prepare
you for a hurricane strike well in advance of the issuance of watches
and warnings.
HURRICANE WATCH
- When your area is covered by a hurricane watch, continue normal
activities, staying tuned to radio or television for all National
Weather Service advisories. A hurricane watch means potential danger
within 24 hours. Plan your time now.
HURRICANE WARNING
- if the danger materializes, a hurricane warning will be issued.
This means that the storm has a great likelihood of directly affecting
your area. Heed calls to evacuate if necessary. Leave low-lying
areas that may be swept by high tides or a storm surge. Leave mobile
homes for more substantial shelter. If evacuation is not required,
take shelter and stay there.
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Hurricane
Safety Rules
· Every year from May through November,
recheck your supply of nonperishable foods, and other equipment
you will need in an emergency situation.
· Stay clear of all windows during the storm.
· Secure outdoor objects that may be blown away or uprooted;
store them inside before the storm strikes.
· Store drinking water in anything that is clean: bathtubs,
bottles, pots, etc. The water supply may become contaminated
· Check all battery powered equipment. Emergency cooking
facilities, lights and flashlights will be essential if utilities
are interrupted.
· Keep your car fueled. Service stations may be inoperable
for several days after the storm strikes.
· Stay at home if your home is sturdy and on high ground;
if it is not, move to a designated shelter. Remain indoors during
the hurricane.
· Monitor the storm's position through National Weather Service
advisories.
· Beware of the Eye of the Hurricane. If the calm storm center
passes directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind lasting
from a few minutes to half an hour or more. Winds will rise rapidly
to hurricane force, and will come from the opposite direction.
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Emergency Supplies
Always keep a stock of emergency supplies sufficient
to meet your household's needs for at least a week. The most important
items to keep on hand are water (preferably in plastic bottles of
other sturider containers); canned or sealed package foods which
do not require refrigeration or heat for cooking; any medicine needed
for family members. A complete first-aid kit; blankets or sleeping
bags; flashlights or lanterns (with extra batteries or other fuel);
a battery powered radio (again, extra batteries); and perhaps a
covered container to use as an emergency toilet. Also, you may want
to equip your home or business with a dependable standby generator.
A freezer without power should keep food in satisfactory condition
up to 36 hours if it is kept closed. Wrapping a freezer in blankets
will help insulate it. Open refrigerator and freezers only when
necessary.
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After the Hurricane has Passed
If a hurricane forces you into a public shelter,
remain there until informed by local officials that it is safe to
return to your home.
Keep tuned in to your local radio station for
advice and instruction about emergency medical aid, food and housing
availability, and other forms of assitance.
Do not drive unless it is absolutely necessary.
Slay away from river banks, bayous and streams
until all potential flooding is past.
Origin of the Word Hurricane
The word hurricane comes from the Spanish word
'huracan, which originated from Hurakan, a god of the Quiche Maya
of Guatemala. According to the Popol Vuh, the Sacred Book of the
Quiche Maya, Hurakan -the God- was present at the creation. The
Caribs of the West Indies adopted the name "huracan" to
designate natural destructive phenomena and the name was later incorporated
into modern language.
Popol Vuh, The Sacred Book of the Ancient Quiche
Maya
Book One
"This is an account of how all was in suspense,
all calm, in silence; all motionless, still, and the expanse of
the sky was empty. The surface on the earth had not appeared. There
was only the calm sea and the great expanse of the sky. There was
nothing standing; only the calm water, the placid sea, alone end
tranquil. Nothing existed."
"There was immobility and silence in the
darkness, in the night. Only the Creator, the Maker, Tepeu, Gucumalz,
the Forefathers, were in the water surrounded with light. They were
hidden under green and blue feathers, and were therefore called
Gucumatz. By nature they were great sages and great thinkers. In
this manner the sky existed and also the Heart of Heaven -Hurakan-
which is the name of God and thus he is called."
"The Popol Vuh, is, indeed, the Sacred Book
of the Quiche Indians, a branch of the ancient Maya race, and contains
and account of the cosmogony mythology, traditions and history of
this native American people, who were the most powerful nation of
the Guatemala highlands in pre-Conquest times. The Popol Vuh is
beyond any shadow of doubt the most distinguished example of native
American literature that has survived the passing of centuries."
Sylvanus G Morley.
Taken from the original transcription of Adrian
Recins and translated into English by Delia Goetz and by Sylvanus
G. Morley. Copyright © by the University of Oklahoma Press.
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