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What is a hurricane? -

A hurricane is a kind of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. These powerful systems obtain their energy from warm ocean waters, and they can cause significant damage through strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.

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What is a tropical cyclone? -

A tropical cyclone is a rotating low-pressure weather system that has thunderstorms but no fronts (a boundary separating two air masses of different densities).

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Tropical cyclones and wind speeds -

Tropical cyclones with sustained surface winds of less than 39 mph (62.7 km/h) are called tropical depressions. Those with sustained winds of 39 mph (62.7 km/h) or higher are called tropical storms.

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Hurricane wind speeds -

A storm with sustained wind speeds of 74 mph (119 km/h) or more is considered a hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale rates hurricanes from 1 to 5 based on maximum sustained wind speeds. The higher the category, the greater the potential for damage.

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Where do hurricanes originate? -

Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern North Pacific Ocean. While hurricanes can also form in the central North Pacific Ocean, this occurs less frequently.

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Hurricane names -

The World Meteorological Organization maintains a rotating list of names for six years, which is frequently updated to identify storms. You won't hear of any hurricanes with names starting with Q, U, X, Y, or Z, as those names are less common in general and are harder to understand across spoken languages.

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Hurricane names that have been removed -

David, Katrina, Andrew, and Laura have been removed from the World Meteorological Organization's naming list because those hurricanes were so destructive that their names are no longer used to avoid confusion, and for reasons of sensitivity.

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When does hurricane season begin and end? -

Hurricane season begins June 1, and runs through November 30, although hurricanes can, and have, happened outside of this time frame. According to the NOAA's National Hurricane Center, about 12 hurricanes occur in the Atlantic Basin each year.

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Hurricanes have a right and a left side -

Hurricanes actually have a right and a left side. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are referred to as the "dirty" and "clean" sides, respectively.

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Hurricanes have a right and a left side -

In the Southern Hemisphere, these sides switch: the left side becomes the "dirty" side because hurricanes spiral clockwise, as opposed to counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Why do hurricanes have a side that's more dangerous than the other? -

Hurricanes are usually asymmetrical, with one side experiencing stronger winds than the other. This is primarily due to the combination of the storm's motion and the background circulation of the hurricane.

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Why is the "dirty" side more dangerous, and by how much? -

The "dirty" side is more dangerous because the winds are stronger there. Winds can be up to 50% stronger on the "dirty" side compared to the clean side, especially if the storm is moving quickly.

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Can we predict how much worse the "dirty" side is going to be? -

Experts use computer models to predict a hurricane's asymmetries, including variations in wind strength. These models analyze data to forecast differences in wind patterns, helping meteorologists understand which side of the storm will experience stronger, more dangerous winds.

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Northern Hemisphere -

In the Northern Hemisphere, winds are generally stronger on the right side of the storm's direction of motion, while they tend to be weaker on the left side. The "dirty" side is the one with the stronger winds, and the "clean" side is the one with the weakest.

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What to do if you're on the "dirty" side of the hurricane? -

If the forecast predicts you'll be on the "dirty" side of a hurricane, prepare for worse conditions—stronger winds, higher storm surge, and more severe weather—compared to being on the "clean" side.

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Is the "dirty" side of the hurricane impacted by climate change? -

Because the "dirty" side is largely determined by the motion of the hurricane, experts aren't certain if climate change is making it worse. While climate change may affect hurricane strength and behavior, its specific impact on the asymmetry of the storm remains an area of ongoing research.

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Is the speed of hurricane motion decreasing with climate change? -

In a 2018 study, researchers found that hurricanes near the US have slowed down by approximately 17% since the beginning of the 20th century. This slowdown could be due to the uneven way that climate change is heating the globe.

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Expect more rain during hurricanes -

A slow-moving hurricane has more time to release a greater amount of rain. Hurricane Debby was a slow-moving category one storm that was forecast to bring as much as 30 inches (76 cm) of rain in August 2024.

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Hurricanes are changing track -

In a 2014 study, researchers found that Northern Hemisphere storms had moved north by 53 km (33 miles) per decade, while storms in the Southern Hemisphere had shifted south by 62 km (39 miles) per decade. This shift could expose communities to extreme storms in regions that were previously less affected, such as Japan.

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More powerful storms in the future? -

Scientists predict that it won't be the frequency of hurricanes that increases in the future, but the power and intensity, as rising ocean temperatures due to climate change are likely to fuel stronger storms.

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What to do during a hurricane? -

If a hurricane is forecast to hit, close storm shutters and stay away from windows, as flying glass from broken windows is a real possibility.

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Monitor the media for emergency information -

Check for real-time updates on emergency situations and follow instructions from public safety officials. A battery-powered radio ensures you remain informed and connected, even if power outages disrupt other forms of communication.

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Protect your property from damage -

If damaging winds are expected and you don't have storm shutters, cover all of your windows with exterior-grade or marine plywood. Secure or bring in outdoor objects that could be swept away.

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Evacuate your home -

Evacuate your home if instructed to do so. Have an evacuation plan in place and share it with your family members well in advance. You should also pack a survival kit that includes a portable radio, a cell phone charger, and any vital medications.

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When to return home -

If you were evacuated, return home only after authorities advise it's safe to do so, to ensure that conditions are secure and that you are not exposed to any extra hazards.

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Never go outside during a hurricane -

Never leave the protection of your home or shelter until you receive confirmation that the storm has completely passed. The eye of the storm may create a temporary lull, but high winds and dangerous conditions could still be approaching.

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Portable generators -

If you use a portable generator, ensure it is properly grounded to prevent electrical shocks. And never operate it indoors, as generators produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled.

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Avoid downed power lines -

Never touch anything in contact with downed power lines, including water or rain puddles that may be near the lines.

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Do not walk through flowing water -

Hurricanes can cause major flooding in certain areas. Never walk through flowing water; even just 6 inches (15 cm) of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet.

Sources: (BBC) (National Ocean Service) (National Geographic)

See also: Major cities under threat from natural disasters

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