Hurricanes: What are they, how they are formed and categories

Hurricanes are extreme meteorological phenomena that develop in warm oceans, especially in Tropical regions. These events are known as tropical cyclones In some parts of the world and Typhones in the Northwest Pacific. These are its main characteristics:

• They are complex systems that involve atmospheric and oceanic processes, and their training is usually associated with Oceanic waters with temperatures above 26.5 degrees Celsius.
• The form of a hurricane begins with the interaction of hot and humid air on the surface of the ocean. When this air rises, it creates low surface pressure, and the surrounding air is attracted to the center of low pressure. As the air rises, cools and condenses, releasing latent heat and feeding the system.
• The initial phase is called tropical depressionwhere the winds reach speeds of up to 63 km/h.
• As the system is strengthened and the winds exceed 63 km/h, it is classified as tropical storm. At this stage, a name is assigned, following a system established by regional weather agencies.
• If the tropical storm continues to intensify and reaches sustained winds of at least 119 km/h, it becomes a hurricane.
• Hurricanes are classified into five categories according to the Saffir-Simpson wind scalewhich goes from category 1 to category 5, the latter being the most intense.
• He Eye of the hurricane It is a distinctive characteristic, a region of relative calm in the center of the system, surrounded by a wall of dense and torments.
• The energy released by the hurricane is phenomenal, and the destructive capacity It is associated with the heavy winds, torrential rains and cyconic swells.

The formation of a hurricane implies a set of specific atmospheric and oceanic conditions.

1. Hurricanes are formed on warm oceanic watersusually with temperatures above 26.5 degrees Celsius. The heat of water acts as a source of energy that feeds the system.
2. Warm and humid air rises From the ocean surface.
3. As ascends, cools and condensesreleasing latent heat in the process.
4. This heat releases more energy in the atmospherefeeding the development of the system.
5. Water evaporation and heat release create a Low pressure zone On the surface.
6. The surrounding air is attracted to this low pressure area, creating convergent winds that feed the circulation of hurricane.
7. As the rotation of the earth diverts the winds to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere, creates a Rotation pattern in the system. This effect is essential for the formation of tropical cyclones and provides their characteristic spiral shape.
8. When air circulation is organized and winds reach sustained speeds of At least 63 km/ha Tropical depression At this stage, a number is assigned for identification.
9. If tropical depression continues to strengthen and reaches sustained winds 63 km/ho moreis classified as tropical storm And receive a name.
10. When the winds They exceed 119 km/hthe storm becomes A hurricane. The intensity is classified into the categories of the Saffir-Simpson scale.

The hurricane categories are classified according to the Saffir-Simpson winds, which provides a measure of the intensity of a hurricane depending on the speed of its sustained winds. This scale ranges from category 1 to category 5, being category 1 the least intense and category 5 the most devastating:

• Category 1 (winds of 119-153 km/h): Hurricanes of this category usually cause minimal damage. Winds can knock down small trees, cause damage to light infrastructure and cause coastal floods. Preparations and evacuations are often enough to manage associated risks.
• Category 2 (winds of 154-177 km/h): Category 2 hurricanes have a significantly higher risk. The strongest winds can cause extensive damage, knock down large trees and cause prolonged power cuts. Coastal areas may experience more severe floods.
• Category 3 (winds of 178-208 km/h): Category 3 hurricanes are considered to be “older” and have the potential to cause devastating damage. Winds can tear down large trees, destroy structures and cause generalized power cuts. Coastal floods are significant.
• Category 4 (winds of 209-251 km/h): Hurricanes of this category are extremely dangerous and can cause catastrophic damage. Winds can tear down most trees, destroy residences and generate important floods. Evacuation is essential to guarantee public safety.
• Category 5 (winds of 252 km/ho more): Category 5 hurricanes are the most intense and destructive. Winds can cause generalized damage, destroy structures and cause mass floods. The affected areas can face extremely dangerous conditions and the evacuation is crucial to minimize life losses.

Some of the strongest hurricanes in history have left their mark and serious consequences. These are the following:

• Hurricane Patricia (2015): Patricia is considered the strongest hurricane registered in the western hemisphere. It reached category 5 with sustained winds of 345 km/h before touching land in Mexico. Fortunately, much of its direct impact was in less populated areas, which helped minimize human losses.
• Hurricane Irma (2017): Irma was an extremely powerful hurricane that affected several Caribbean and Florida islands. Reached category 5 with sustained winds of 298 km/h for a prolonged period. Although he lost some intensity before arriving in Florida, he left wide destruction on his way.
• Hurricane Haiyan (2013): Locally known as Yolanda, Haiyan hit the Philippines and Vietnam, being one of the strongest tifones ever registered. Reached category 5 with sustained winds of 315 km/h. Here you can better know what a typhoon is and how it is formed.
• Hurricane Allen (1980): Allen is remembered as one of the most intense hurricanes in the Atlantic, reaching category 5 on three different occasions during his career. Although it did not cause significant direct impacts on the mainland, its extreme strength and its erratic trajectory made it stand out in the history of hurricanes.
• Hurricane Wilma (2005): Wilma is known for being the strongest hurricane registered in the Atlantic in terms of atmospheric pressure. Reached category 5 with sustained winds of 295 km/h. Mexico and southern Florida hit, causing significant damage and considerable material losses.

You have already learned more about what hurricanes are, how they are formed and what their categories are, we recommend you read about the difference between Hurricane and Typhoon.

If you want to read more articles similar to Hurricanes: What are they, how they are formed and categorieswe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.