Hurricane

Definition

A hurricane is a powerful tropical cyclone characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low atmospheric pressure, forming over warm ocean waters. These storms can cause significant destruction through high winds, storm surges, and flooding, impacting weather patterns and climate in affected areas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters, typically when sea surface temperatures exceed 26.5°C (about 80°F).
2. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorizes hurricanes from Category 1 to Category 5 based on sustained wind speeds and potential damage.
3. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage not only from winds but also from heavy rains, which can lead to flooding far inland from the coastline.
4. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, with peak activity usually occurring in August and September.
5. Climate change is believed to influence the intensity and frequency of hurricanes, with warmer ocean temperatures potentially leading to stronger storms.

Review Questions

• What are the key conditions necessary for a hurricane to develop, and how do these conditions relate to global weather patterns?
  • For a hurricane to develop, key conditions include warm ocean waters, sufficient moisture in the atmosphere, and low wind shear. Warm waters provide the energy necessary for the storm's formation and strengthening. These conditions often correlate with larger weather patterns such as El Niño or La Niña, which can influence both the frequency and intensity of hurricanes in different ocean basins across the globe.
• How does the structure of a hurricane, including features like the eye and eyewall, affect its intensity and impact on land?
  • A hurricane's structure includes a calm eye surrounded by the eyewall, where the strongest winds and heaviest rain occur. The intensity of a hurricane is often determined by how well-defined these features are. A well-formed eyewall indicates a strong storm that can produce devastating impacts when it makes landfall. The distribution of wind speeds and rainfall also influences damage patterns, with areas near the eyewall experiencing the most severe effects.
• Evaluate the potential long-term effects of hurricanes on coastal communities and ecosystems, considering factors like climate change and urban development.
  • Hurricanes can have significant long-term effects on coastal communities and ecosystems. Coastal regions may face increased erosion, habitat destruction, and changes in salinity due to storm surges. As climate change potentially increases hurricane intensity and frequency, urban development in vulnerable areas raises risks for both human populations and natural habitats. This combination can lead to economic losses, displacement of communities, and long-lasting ecological consequences as ecosystems struggle to recover from repeated disturbances.

Related terms

tropical storm:

A tropical storm is a type of tropical cyclone that has sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 miles per hour but does not yet qualify as a hurricane.

eye of the storm: The eye of the storm is the calm center of a hurricane, surrounded by the eyewall where the most intense winds and rainfall occur.

storm surge:

A storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level associated with a hurricane or other intense storm, often leading to coastal flooding and erosion.