Question

What is the connection between a storm’s wind speeds and its power?

A. A storm’s wind speeds determine whether or not it will become a hurricane and its strength.
B. A storm’s wind speeds regulate how much water it absorbs and when it releases that water, resulting in floods.
C. A storm’s wind speeds decide how far a hurricane will travel and the level of damage it can inflict on people.
D. A storm’s wind speeds determine what type of storm it will turn into, such as a hurricane, cyclone, or typhoon.

Answer 1

Storm's wind speeds significantly determine its potential to become a hurricane and directly influence its strength and destructive power, with hurricanes forming at sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour.

Step-by-step explanation:

The connection between a storm's wind speeds and its power is significant. A storm's wind speeds determine whether or not it will become a hurricane and its strength. Specifically, hurricanes develop over warm water above 80°F, and as the air heats and rises, it creates strong wind currents and storm conditions. If the wind speeds reach certain thresholds, the storm can be classified as a hurricane. When wind speeds hit sustained levels of 74 miles per hour, the storm is officially a hurricane. Furthermore, the power of a hurricane scales with the cube of the wind velocity, meaning that as wind speeds increase, the destructive power of the storm can increase dramatically.