Hurricanes
A hurricane is a storm that develops over an ocean that has strong winds whirling around a low pressure center. It spins like a top, moving slowly forward, spinning violently. It can last for weeks and cover thousands of miles.
The winds on the outside of the hurricane blow at speeds of 100 miles per hour or greater, sometimes reaching 200 miles per hour. The center of the hurricane, called the EYE, is a calm, still area with minimal wind movement. The hurricane may contain hundreds of separate thunderstorms all spiraling around the eye. It can measure up to 600 miles in diameter.
When a hurricane moves over an area of land, there are really two different periods of violent winds. The first is when the hurricane reaches an area. Then there is a period of calmness as the eye of the storm passes over. Then as the hurricane continues its way through the area, the second half passes over the land, and the violent winds return until the storm completely leaves the region.
Hurricanes carry heavy rain, as well as tremendous winds. These winds can uproot trees, blow roofs off houses, destroy power lines and shatter windows.
Hurricanes are created in tropical or subtropical regions, where the ocean temperature is at least 80 degrees F. Hurricanes are formed between 0 and 30 degrees from the Equator (north or south). Beyond those locations, they tend to break apart into several large, but less destructive, thunderstorms.
When they strike land, they can be terribly destructive, uprooting trees and crushing buildings. Hurricane-like storms in the Pacific are called TYPHOONS.
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Thanks to modern satellites, the weather service can easily spot hurricanes as they develop and warn people of not only when they will reach land but also how strong the winds will be.
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