Balmy temperatures and warm ocean waters make summer a very popular time of year. But the conditions that can make a day at the beach inviting also tend to fuel strong storms that peak during this time of year.
Hurricanes are not exclusive to summer, but their peak activity and formation tend to happen during late summer and early fall. This is due largely to rising ocean temperatures, which must reach 79.4 F (26.5 C) to a depth of at least 160 feet for a hurricane to develop. These temperatures are commonly reached during the summer and early fall in subtropical regions. Warm, moist air also is a hallmark of hurricane formation, which is a notable condition during the summer.
Although hurricanes occur each year, there is much about these powerful storms that the general public may not know.
Where did the word "hurricane" originate?
The word hurricane comes from the Taino Native American word "hurucane," which means "evil spirit of the wind." This name helped make sense of the storms, which feature extremely strong winds.
Where do hurricanes begin?
Hurricanes begin as warm air over tropical areas of the ocean, building strength by drawing moisture from warm ocean waters.
What is the difference between a typhoon, hurricane or cyclone?
These names refer to the same type of storm, but vary depending on the region of the world in which the storm occurs. "Hurricane" refers to storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean.
When is hurricane season?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and extends to November 30. In the East Pacific, the season runs from May 15 to November 30.
How are hurricanes classified?
Hurricanes are classified by their strength using the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Major (intense) hurricanes fall into categories 3, 4 and 5. A category 3 hurricane begins at wind speeds of 130 miles per hour.
Which state gets the most hurricanes?
Operation Blessing says Florida has had the most hurricanes since record keeping began. The majority of Florida stretches into warm water, with the Gulf of Mexico on its western side and the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern.
Do hurricanes affect Canada?
Hurricanes occasionally affect Canada, namely on the Atlantic Ocean side of the country, says Get Prepared, an emergency preparedness site from the Government of Canada. On rare occasions, remnants of tropical cyclones in the Pacific can affect British Columbia.
What is the typical rainfall associated with a hurricane?
A typical hurricane can dump six inches to a foot of rain across a region.
When did hurricanes begin being named?
In 1953, the U.S. Weather Bureau started the process of assigning women's names to tropical storms. In 1979, men's names were added. The names used are in alphabetical order, but exclude the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z. Six lists of names exist and are rotated every six years. A name is retired from a list when the storm causes so many deaths or so much destruction that it would be insensitive to use the name again.
The World Meteorological Organization oversees the retirement of hurricane names and the selection of new ones.
What was the most active hurricane season to date?
The National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms in 2005. There were so many storms that all of the traditional storm names had been used, and the last six storms were given Greek letters. This is the storm season that spawned Hurricane Katrina, which decimated New Orleans.
How can I prepare for a hurricane?
Individuals should prepare emergency kits that contain first aid kits, extra prescription medication, nonperishable food, water, batteries and battery-powered radio, cash, diapers, baby formula, and important documents.
A household emergency plan, which may include where to evacuate, if necessary, also is a good idea.
Hurricane season can be so devastating that it benefits anyone to learn as much as possible about these strong storms.