Know Your Hurricane as the Season Begins

This year’s hurricane season looks to be very similar to 2005, and last year’s key national areas are still suffereing from the chaos and catastrophe. Even for those who do not live in a hurricane zone, it’s important to know the varieties and potential storms for traveling, planning, and vacation purposes. June 1 marks the official hurricane season.

A hurricane is defined as a severe tropical storm, and forms in most of our world’s greatest oceans. It is a powerful combination of torreintial rain, winds, and waves on the sea and lakes. Hurricanes also go by the names, typhoon, severe tropical cyclone, severe cyclonic storm, and tropical cyclone depending on the region of the world.

Since hurricanes start on oceans, they pick up speed and power from the winds, moon, and seafronts. As they move closer to land, they bring with them heavy winds and the huge waves that quickly and powerfully destroy shorelines, trees, and buildings. Coastlines are obviously high-hazard areas, but many inland areas, peninsulas, and islands have ongoing hurricane threats.

If we were to take a cross-section of a hurricane, we would find that both ‘sides’ of the spiral are very warm gusts of winds, while the cyclone ‘eye’ itself is a combination of downward spiraling cold air. The ocean surface where hurricanes develop is also warm, causing the warm air to rise and condense. This general air movement of a hurricane is the reason why it ‘moves’ and doesn’t simply stay in one place.