Hurricanes
"Hurricane", "Typhoon", "Cyclone"...what do these have in common? They are all awesome storms. Scientifically, they are known as tropical cyclones. Those that form over the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Ocean are known as hurricanes. No matter what their name, they all form the same way.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes form in the tropics, over warm ocean water (over 80ºF or 27ºC). This is why most hurricanes form between June through November (warm ocean waters). These powerful storms are fueled by the heat energy that is released when water vapor condenses (turns into liquid water -- rain). A hurricane goes through many stages as it develops:
1. It starts off as a tropical wave, which is an area of low pressure.
2. As the warm, moist air over the ocean rises (causing low pressure), cold air moves in to replace it. This produces strong winds, rain, and thunderclouds. It is called a tropical disturbance.
3. As the air pressure continue to drops (due to the continuous rising air), the wind speed continues to increase. Once the winds has reached sustained speeds of 38 mph it is a tropical depression.
4. When the spiraling winds reach sustained speeds of 39-73 mph it is known as a tropical storm and is given a name. If the winds get over 73 mph it is considered a hurricane.
It is important to note that hurricanes are fueled by the warm water rising over the ocean. Once this energy source is gone, the storm weakens and dies. This is why hurricanes will dissipate over land or cold water.
Hurricanes form in the tropics, over warm ocean water (over 80ºF or 27ºC). This is why most hurricanes form between June through November (warm ocean waters). These powerful storms are fueled by the heat energy that is released when water vapor condenses (turns into liquid water -- rain). A hurricane goes through many stages as it develops:
1. It starts off as a tropical wave, which is an area of low pressure.
2. As the warm, moist air over the ocean rises (causing low pressure), cold air moves in to replace it. This produces strong winds, rain, and thunderclouds. It is called a tropical disturbance.
3. As the air pressure continue to drops (due to the continuous rising air), the wind speed continues to increase. Once the winds has reached sustained speeds of 38 mph it is a tropical depression.
4. When the spiraling winds reach sustained speeds of 39-73 mph it is known as a tropical storm and is given a name. If the winds get over 73 mph it is considered a hurricane.
It is important to note that hurricanes are fueled by the warm water rising over the ocean. Once this energy source is gone, the storm weakens and dies. This is why hurricanes will dissipate over land or cold water.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to estimate potential property damage. The scale ranges from 1-5, 1 being the least amount of damage and 5 being the greatest. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however. Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall on August 29. Hurricane Hugo was a Category 4 before it hit land.