What Is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a powerful tropical storm that measures
several hundred miles in diameter. Hurricanes have two main
parts. The first is the eye of the hurricane, which is a
calm area in the center of the storm. Usually, the eye of
a hurricane measures about 20 miles in diameter, and has
very few clouds. The second part is the wall of clouds that
surrounds the calm eye. This is where the hurricane's strongest
winds and heaviest rain occur.
How Hurricanes Form
Hurricanes form as warm, humid air rises, causing the moisture
to condense, which releases heat into the air and causes
it to rise still faster in an accelerating cycle. This forms
tall, billowing thunderstorms and an area of low pressure
near the surface. Surrounding air is drawn toward this low
pressure, spiraling in and feeding the storm. If the right
conditions last long enough, a hurricane can produce violent
winds, incredible waves, torrential rains and floods.
Hurricanes rotate in a counterclockwise direction around
an "eye." Hurricanes have winds of at least 74
miles per hour. There are on average six Atlantic hurricanes
each year; over a three-year period, approximately five
hurricanes strike the United States coastline from Texas
to Maine.
Tropical Depression
A tropical depression is an organized system of clouds
and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and
maximum sustained winds of 38 mph.
Tropical Storm
A tropical storm is an organized system of strong thunderstorms
with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained
winds of 39-73 mph.
When a Hurricane Strikes
When hurricanes move onto land, the heavy rain, strong
winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.
The heavy waves are called a storm surge. Storm surge is
very dangerous and a major reason why you MUST stay away
from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.
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