Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when warm, humid air rises rapidly and creates a low-pressure zone. The rotation of the Earth causes the storm to rotate in a cyclonic pattern. Different names are given to storms based on their wind speeds, with hurricanes classified as storms with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters with temperatures above 80 °F. The process starts with the heating of air, causing it to rise rapidly. As the air rises, it creates a low-pressure zone, drawing in more air which then rises as well. This cycle continues, creating strong wind currents and storm conditions.
The combination of warm, humid air rising and cooling causes condensation, leading to heavy rains. The rotation of the Earth also plays a role, causing the storm to rotate in a cyclonic pattern. In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes rotate counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise.
A tropical depression forms when wind speeds range from 25 to 38 miles per hour. If the wind speed reaches 39 to 73 miles per hour, it is upgraded to a tropical storm. Once the sustained wind speed reaches 74 miles per hour, it is classified as a hurricane.