Hurricanes how do they begin

Tropical cyclones are like engines that require warm, moist air as fuel. So the first ingredient needed for a tropical cyclone is warm ocean water. That is why tropical cyclones form only in tropical regions where the ocean is at least 80 degrees F for at least the top 50 meters about feet below the surface. The second ingredient for a tropical cyclone is wind. In the case of hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean, the wind blowing westward across the Atlantic from Africa provides the necessary ingredient.

As the wind passes over the ocean's surface, water evaporates turns into water vapor and rises. As it rises, the water vapor cools, and condenses back into large water droplets, forming large cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are just the beginning. Credit: NOAA. Meteorologists have divided the development of a tropical cyclone into four stages: Tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and full-fledged tropical cyclone. When the water vapor from the warm ocean condenses to form clouds, it releases its heat to the air.

The warmed air rises and is pulled into the column of clouds. Evaporation and condensation continue, building the cloud columns higher and larger. Storms weaken when they moves over areas with cooler ocean water. Nor is there as much humidity in the air. Hurricanes also weaken when they travel over land. As a storm grows, it goes through a series of stages. It starts as a tropical disturbance. Then, with cyclonic circulation and faster wind speeds, it becomes a tropical depression.

If the wind keeps getting faster, it becomes a tropical storm and then a hurricane if winds are more than 74 miles per hour mph. The classifications are based on the wind speeds in the storm, not the size of the storm. Hurricanes that look small on radar can have very high wind speeds. And large storms can have low wind speeds.

Wind speeds in hurricanes are often measured in knots. In addition to the storm surge, hurricanes bring rain. Lots of rain. In , a storm hammered Taiwan with inches of rain in only three days. Hurricane rains cause landslides, flash floods, and long-term floods. Because meteorologists can predict and track hurricanes, people living in a hurricane's path can stay safe by advance preparation, including an evacuation plan, creating an emergency kit with food, water, and other supplies don't forget your pets , and most importantly by listening to local authorities on the best ways to stay safe.

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