2015 Guide

Studying Storm Surge
Materials You Will Need
multi-speed fan water painter roller tray
small toy houses and buildings or other small items
Why Does This Happen
The wind from the fan is pushing the water, much like the
winds form a hurricane push the ocean water. This wind
causes the water to climb up the incline toward the houses.
When the fan is on a higher speed, it simulates stronger
winds so more water moves ashore. This is why storm surge
is generally higher for stronger hurricanes. Can you get the
water to cover the homes
Process
1. Fill the paint roller tray with water until it rises to about threequarters
of the way up the incline.
Storm surge is caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean’s
2. Position the fan on the deep side of the paint roller tray so that surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary
it blows down across the water.
sea level. Low pressure at the center of a weather system also has a small
3. Position the houses and buildings at the top of the incline.
secondary effect, as can the depths and shapes of the body of water.
It is this combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a
4. Turn the fan on. If your fan has different setting options, test shallow water body which is the most common cause of storm surge
using the highest setting.
flooding problems.
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