How Are Hurricanes Formed

Most recently, Hurricane Harvey devastated the entire Texas region with over 50 deaths and over 50 inches of rain in several areas of Houston, Texas.  It will take a long time to rebuild hundreds of homes that were destroyed due to Hurricane Harvey.

Now there's all this talk about Hurricane Irma which is a category 5 Hurricane which could cause massive destruction if it reaches areas of Florida.  But the question is, how are Hurricanes formed?

Hurricanes begin as tropical storms over the warm moist waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans near the equator.

As the moisture evaporates it rises until enormous amounts of heated moist air are twisted high in the atmosphere.  The winds begin to circle counterclockwise north of the equator or clockwise south of the equator.

The peaceful center of the hurricane is called the eye.  Around this center winds move at speeds between 74 and 200 miles per hour.  For more information on hurricanes, click right here on this web site.  cotf.edu.