How Do Hurricanes Form?

Strong and powerful wind that blows at a speed of 600 miles per hour is known as a hurricane. There are hurricanes that wage for a week and some move at 10 to 20 miles per hour over the vast span of an ocean. A hurricane gathers momentum when it blows over the ocean or seas. It rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to form an "eye". The winds that blow in the "eye" zone are light and warm. However, when they come in contact with the land the hurricane winds become strong bring heavy rain with it.

Formation Of A Hurricane

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, a hurricane is a violent, strong storm that is formed when several elements combine under the "right" conditions at "right" time. One of the several elements is a pre-existing tropical disturbance in a low atmospheric area. For instance, over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. When there is a depression in Atlantic Ocean, a hurricane is likely to storm across Bermuda and Bahamas.

A storm surge is the devastating element of a hurricane. When a hurricane spirals over the ocean they are powerful enough to push water into a mound at the storm’s center. When the hurricane blows across the land, the water in the mound floods the coasting areas. The water gets accumulated in the eye region and cannot find a way out. This results in floods. A storm surge is likely where the ocean beds slopes gradually. The elements contributing to the storm surge are the winds, waves and the rise and fall of the sea level.

A hurricane is likely to form when the atmospheric temperature over an ocean becomes 27 degrees and if the depth of this water is over 50 meters. The warmth and the shallow depth of the water cause atmospheric instability that create and sustain thunderstorms. The dark stormy clouds of hurricane are rapidly cooled as they rise high and the pent-up heat of these clouds is released. Remember, for a hurricane to sustain higher humidity levels and low amounts of wind shear are required.

The formation of a hurricane is directly related to its location on the earth. Most of the hurricanes develop five degrees away from the equator due to the "Coriolis" force. A strong hurricane can be formed only if there is a pre-existing atmospheric disturbance.

How Are Hurricanes Classified

A hurricane is classified and categorized on the basis on the wind speed, the damages and the floods. A meteorological scale known as Saffir-Simpson is used to compare the damages caused by a hurricane. This scale is in use from 1969 onwards.

There are mainly five categories of hurricanes based on the speed of the wind and the damages caused. If the speed of the wind is around 75 to 96 mph and causes mild destruction to mobile homes and floods the coast areas, then it falls under the "category 1". Hurricanes that wage at 97 to 111 mph belong to "category 2". A hurricane that blows at the speed of 130 mph causing floods in coastlines is classified as "category 3". A "category 4" hurricane blows at a speed of 155 mph, while the "category 5" hurricanes blow at a speed above 155 mph.

Hurricanes cause tremendous amount of destruction to mankind, buildings and wildlife. The Red Cross advises to take necessary precautions once the warning of a hurricane has been broadcast.