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What is a hurricane? |
Weather
A hurricane is a type of very big and very powerful storm. Hurricanes have specific features that make them different from other types of storms.
Hurricanes are made up of storm clouds that bring lots of wind and rain. They only form over warm water and always swirl around in a counter-clockwise direction. (Take a look at a clock to see what that means!) In the center of a hurricane is the storm’s “eye.” The eye is actually the part of the storm with the calmest conditions!
Because of their characteristics like strong winds, big amounts of rain, and huge waves from the ocean, hurricanes can be dangerous and often cause damage to homes and cities when they move from water onto land. Luckily, because meteorologists (weather scientists) have lots of knowledge and advanced technology, most people can know if or when a hurricane is likely to hit, so they can evacuate to a place where they’ll be safe from the storm!
- In order to keep track of hurricanes, meteorologists give them names, just like the names we use for each other! The names follow along the ABC’s in order, and alternate between boy-names and girl-names.
- Hurricanes mostly happen in late summer and early fall. Because they have to form over water that is at least 80°F, they only happen in certain parts of the world.
Hurricane Kit
