Final answer:
A hurricane is a tropical storm that reaches sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, forming over warm ocean waters and capable of causing severe weather conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hurricane is D) A tropical storm with winds of at least 74 miles per hour. A hurricane typically develops over warm ocean waters that are at least 80 °F. This occurs as warm, moist air rises quickly, causing incoming air to take its place and resulting in strong wind currents and storm conditions. The air cools and condenses to form heavy rains, and the rotation of the Earth causes the storm to rotate cyclonically—counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Hurricanes can be incredibly destructive due to their potential to deliver torrential rainfall, high winds, and significant damage to the environment and human structures. They typically form in tropical regions, including the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, where conditions are most favorable for their development.