#flathal #flatstanleyproject #tropicalstorm #tonga
The Flat Friends made an art challenge out of trying to visualize where the storm we are avoiding is… and why we are avoiding it. 12 meter waves are more than our cruise ship can handle—now we are trying to imagine Captain Cook, or Captain Bligh facing seas like that! We suspect the top map is more accurate, but the bottom one looks more fun and interesting to us. (Cyclone is new to us! Time for more discovery!)
The Great Storm Name Game!
When we heard about the giant tropical storm heading toward our ship, we thought it could get bigger and become a hurricane. But when it got bigger (and just like a hurricane back home) was given a name, it was called a Cyclone!
Were we wrong?
It turns out, a Hurricane, a Typhoon, and a Cyclone are all the exact same kind of storm! They are all giant, spinning storms with super strong winds and heavy rain.
The difference is where in the world they happen. It’s a lot like how a sweet, fizzy drink might be called ‘soda’ in one state, but ‘pop’ in another!
Here is the secret code to knowing what to call these giant storms:
🌀 Hurricanes: This is what they call these storms when they form near North America (in the North Atlantic or Northeast Pacific oceans).
🌀 Typhoons: This is the name used if the storm is spinning near Asia (in the Northwest Pacific Ocean).
🌀 Cyclones: This is what they are called in the South Pacific Ocean (exactly where we are sailing right now!) and the Indian Ocean.
Because we are sailing in the South Pacific Ocean, Storm Urmil gets the official title of Tropical Cyclone Urmil! Whatever the name, the rules for staying safe remain the same: steer clear!”
Can you help the Flat Friends fill in their certificates for entering The Domain of the Golden Dragon?
Want to make one for yourself?
One of Flat Hal’s friends back home has been keeping track of his travels. Today he sent a short, funny message: How’s the future?
We had a lot of fun joking about possible answers. What would you have replied if you crossed into tomorrow 18 hours before your friends?
