I WONDER - How Are Hurricanes Formed?

Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones or typhoons, form over warm waters in tropical regions near the equator. They develop when warm moist air rises over low-pressure areas, creating storm clouds and increasing wind speeds. A storm becomes a hurricane when winds reach 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes weaken when they hit land or cooler waters but can still cause significant damage. The center, or eye, of a hurricane is the calmest part. In the southern hemisphere, hurricanes spin clockwise, while in the northern hemisphere, they spin anticlockwise. The World Meteorological Organization names hurricanes alphabetically each year.

What conditions are necessary for the formation of hurricanes?

• Dry air over high-pressure areas

• Warm moist air over low-pressure areas

• Cold moist air over low-pressure areas

• Cold air over high-pressure areas

At what wind speed does a tropical storm become classified as a hurricane?

• 60 miles per hour

• 74 miles per hour

• 100 miles per hour

• 90 miles per hour

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

• It weakens

• It remains the same

• It gains strength

• It changes direction

What is the center of a hurricane called?

• The hub

• The eye

• The vortex

• The core

How are hurricanes named each year?

• By the National Weather Service

• By the International Hurricane Center

• By the World Meteorological Organization

• By the United Nations