Hurricanes

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are giant storms that can be up to 600 miles in diameter and have winds speeds that are 75 to 200 mph.

Hurricanes gather heat and energy because of contact with warm water in the oceans. When seawater evaporates, it increases its power. Hurricanes most of the time rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around its middle, which is called the eye. Surprisingly, the eye of a hurricane is the most peaceful part of it, and does not have any high winds.

Hurricanes form over warm waters that reach temperatures over 80 °F or warmer. The air must cool quickly and must go very high, and the wind must be blowing in the same direction and same speed to force water to rise in the air, thus forming a hurricane.  

A storm surge is when the force of the Hurricane creates a mound of water in the middle of it. When the storm reaches land this water splashes onto the beach causing destruction.