Reading Comprehension · Earth Science

Hurricanes

A science reading lesson about hurricanes — how they form over warm ocean water, how they are named, the difference between a hurricane watch and a warning, and the five-category Saffir-Simpson scale.

How Hurricanes Form

A hurricane is a strong storm that forms in one of the world’s many oceans. The ideal situation for a hurricane to form is when the ocean water is warm. As it forms at sea, the warmer the water is, the stronger the hurricane becomes. This means the places most likely to have hurricanes are the southern Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. However, hurricanes can form in any ocean — they are just more likely in these regions.

A hurricane is actually a type of tropical cyclone. As warm, moist air rises over the ocean, it creates a low-pressure area near the surface. Cooler air rushes in to replace it, heats up, and rises again. This cycle causes the storm to spin. In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes spin counterclockwise. At the center of the storm is the eye — a calm area of low pressure surrounded by the eyewall, which contains the most violent winds and heaviest rain.

Scientists rate hurricanes using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which has five categories based on wind speed. A Category 1 hurricane has winds of 74–95 mph and causes minimal damage. A Category 3 (major hurricane) has winds of 111–129 mph and can cause devastating damage to homes and trees. A Category 5 hurricane has winds above 157 mph and can destroy entire communities. The stronger the category, the more damage a hurricane can do when it reaches land.

Naming Hurricanes and Staying Safe

Hurricanes are given names to help people track them and communicate clearly during a storm. The tradition of naming hurricanes has changed over the years. When hurricanes were originally named in the West Indies, they were named after specific saints’ days. In the 19th century, an Australian meteorologist began using women’s names for tropical storms. The United States began using female names in 1953 and switched to alternating male and female names in 1979. Today, the World Meteorological Organization maintains six rotating lists of Atlantic hurricane names.

On the news, you may hear the terms hurricane watch and hurricane warning. A hurricane watch means that a hurricane could form within the next 36 hours and conditions are being monitored. A hurricane warning means that a hurricane is expected to hit land within the next 24 hours. When a warning is issued, residents in the storm’s path may be ordered to evacuate — that is, leave their homes and move to a safer area. Evacuation can save lives.

If you cannot evacuate, there are steps you can take to stay as safe as possible. Move away from windows and go to the lowest floor of your home. Stock emergency supplies: water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, and copies of important documents. After the storm passes, stay indoors until authorities say it is safe. Floodwaters, downed power lines, and debris make the aftermath of a hurricane dangerous.

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