What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is an intense tropical storm. Tropical storms form over warm tropical oceans during periods when local sea surface temperatures are above 26.5 °C (80 °F). Under these conditions, evaporation from the ocean surface generates very high humidity in the atmosphere, which in turn generates thunderstorms. A tropical storm forms when a system of powerful thunderstorms converges and begins to rotate in the atmosphere, forming a vortex known as a tropical depression. Heat from the ocean surface is drawn up through the center of the vortex and released to the atmosphere as water vapor condenses to form rain around the perimeter of the vortex. Energy from ocean heat also generates high winds. The more heat available in the surface water, the more potential there is to generate heavy rain and high wind. If wind speeds exceed 35 mph, the National Hurricane Center deems the system a tropical storm and assigns it a name (e.g.
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows: Tropical Depression An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 kt) or less. Sustained winds are a 1-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface. While 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour or 1.15 statute miles per hour and is abbreviated as “kt”. Tropical Storm An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt) Hurricane An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher Hurricanes are
A hurricane is an intense tropical storm. Tropical storms form over warm tropical oceans during periods when local sea surface temperatures are above 26.5 °C (80 °F). Under these conditions, evaporation from the ocean surface generates very high humidity in the atmosphere, which in turn generates thunderstorms. A tropical storm forms when a system of powerful thunderstorms converges and begins to rotate in the atmosphere, forming a vortex known as a tropical depression. Heat from the ocean surface is drawn up through the center of the vortex and released to the atmosphere as water vapor condenses to form rain around the perimeter of the vortex. Energy from ocean heat also generates high winds. The more heat available in the surface water, the more potential there is to generate heavy rain and high wind. If wind speeds exceed 35 mph, the National Hurricane Center deems the system a tropical storm and assigns it a name (e.g., Tropical Storm Arlene, which formed as a depression in the tro
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, the generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface. All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and dama
