HURRICANE SCRIPT - Copy.docx

HURRICANE SCRIPT Cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are all names used around the world to describe the most powerful storms known to man. These storms are unpredictable, but scientists have a thorough understanding of how they form and sustain their power in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane season pe...

HURRICANE SCRIPT Cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are all names used around the world to describe the most powerful storms known to man. These storms are unpredictable, but scientists have a thorough understanding of how they form and sustain their power in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane season peaks in late summer when tropical waters are warmest. Hurricanes form from clusters of thunderstorms that suck up warm, moist air and move it high into Earth\'s atmosphere. This warm air is converted into energy that powers the hurricane\'s circular winds. These winds spin around a low-pressure center called the eye, which can provide a calm zone of 20 to 30 miles. Surrounding the eye is the eye wall, a towering ring of clouds with some of the fastest wind speeds of the hurricane. Outside the eye wall are curved bands of clouds called rain bands, which can be tens of miles wide and release sheets of rain and sometimes tornadoes. When a tropical storm\'s winds reach at least 74 miles per hour, it becomes a hurricane. Hurricanes are then categorized from 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale based on their wind speed and potential damage. However, wind speed isn\'t always the most dangerous component when hurricanes approach land. Storm surge, caused by hurricane winds pushing water towards the shoreline, can reach up to 20 feet above sea level and extend 100 miles. 90% of hurricane deaths are the result of storm surge. While hurricanes can cause mass devastation, they also play a vital role in the global ecosystem. Hurricanes help regulate our climate by moving heat energy from the equator to the poles, keeping Earth\'s temperature stable. Science has helped us better understand hurricanes and predict their paths, saving lives through early warning systems and improving our infrastructure to protect our cities. The more we study these complex storms, the better we can prepare for them and minimize their impact on human lives.