Understanding Hurricanes Quiz

What is the minimum wind speed for a storm to be classified as a hurricane?

• 39 miles per hour

• 74 miles per hour

• 95 miles per hour

• 156 miles per hour

During which months do hurricanes typically occur in the Northern Hemisphere?

• Mid-August to late October

• June to September

• April to December

• January to March

What happens to a hurricane when it moves over cooler water?

• It gains speed

• It loses power

• It strengthens

• It becomes a tropical storm

What is the name given to storms in the western Pacific Ocean?

• Tropical storms

• Typhoons

• Cyclones

• Hurricanes

What is the primary factor that fuels a hurricane?

• High pressure

• Warm water

• Cold air

• Low humidity

What is the purpose of the National Hurricane Center?

• To predict the path of hurricanes

• To provide evacuation routes

• To name hurricanes

• To classify hurricanes by wind speed

What should you do before a hurricane hits?

• Stay outside to observe the storm

• Check your yard for broken branches

• Ignore local evacuation orders

• Leave all windows open

What happens to the names of hurricanes that are particularly destructive?

• They are reused every year

• They are removed from the list

• They are given a number

• They are changed to new names