Walls torn from concrete buildings, 15-foot trees ripped from the earth, 20-foot waves crashing to shore. The power of hurricanes is awesome.
Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes. Floods and flash floods are generated by torrential rains that accompany hurricanes. Even more dangerous is the storm surge -- a dome of ocean water that, at its peak, can be 25 feet high and 50-100 miles wide. The surge can devastate coastal communities as it sweeps ashore.
A hurricane is a tropical weather system with winds that have reached a sustained speed of 74 mph or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center, known as the "eye." The eye is generally 20-30 miles wide, and the storm may extend outward from it for 400 miles.
As a hurricane approaches, the sky darkens and winds strengthen. As it nears land, it can bring torrential rains, high winds and storm surges. A hurricane can stretch the entire length of the eastern seaboard. The 74-160 mph winds can extend inland for hundreds of miles.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories according to wind velocity. Category 1 is the mildest, with winds from 74-95 mph. Category 5 is the strongest, with winds above 155 mph.
August and September are peak months of hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30.
Weather Terms Used for the Hurricane Season
Part of staying informed about weather conditions is understanding the different terms used by weather forecasters. Following are some of the most common terms:
Advisory: Hurricane and storm information is disseminated to the public every six hours.
Special Advisory: Information is disseminated when there is significant change in storm-related weather conditions.
Gale Warning: Sustained winds of 35-54 mph and strong wave action are expected.
Storm Warning: Sustained winds of 55-73 mph are expected.
Hurricane Watch: There is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane is expected to strike within 24 hours or less, with sustained winds of 74 mph or more and dangerously high water.
Tropical Disturbance:A moving area of thunderstorms is in the tropics.
Tropical Depression: An area of low pressure, rotary circulation of clouds and winds up to 38 mph is identified.
Tropical Storm: A storm characterized by counterclockwise circulation of clouds and winds 39-73 is brewing.
