Ingredients for a Hurricane

A hurricane is a large low pressure storm system without any "front" attached. They develop over warm ocean waters. The more general name for a hurricane is a tropical cyclone. Depending upon location, tropical cyclones have different names around the world.

* Atlantic/Eastern Pacific Oceans - hurricanes
* Western Pacific Ocean- typhoons
* Indian Ocean - cyclones

Regardless of what they are called, all tropical cyclones need warm ocean waters (at least 80°F / 27°C) down to a depth of about 150 ft (46 meters) to form. They also need the atmosphere above to cool quickly with height so that air rises fast in that area. Also, they usually form within a minimum distance of at least 300 miles (480 km) from the equator.

Below is a visible image of a hurricane. Use your computer mouse to identify the main features.

Continue to learn about Tornadoes