Final answer:
A hurricane's wind speed decreases significantly when it comes ashore because it is no longer sustained by the energy provided by warm ocean waters. The option (A) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a hurricane forms over the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, it gains energy from the ocean's warmth. As the warm water heats the air above, it causes the air to rise rapidly, creating strong wind currents and storm conditions. The rotation of the Earth leads to a cyclonic pattern in these storms, with those in the Northern Hemisphere rotating counterclockwise due to the Coriolis force.
Hurricanes, which are tropical cyclones, require these warm ocean waters to maintain their strength. As a hurricane moves over land, its wind speed decreases significantly because it is no longer over the warm ocean waters that provide the energy necessary to sustain its power. Therefore, option (A) is correct.