Hurricane (meteorological phenomenon)

A hurricane is a powerful tropical storm characterized by a rotating system of thunderstorms with organized wind circulation around a low-pressure center. It forms over warm ocean waters, where the heat fuels the storm’s development, causing wind speeds to increase significantly—often exceeding 74 miles per hour. As the storm intensifies, it can produce heavy rainfall, storm surges, and strong winds, leading to widespread damage when it makes landfall. Hurricanes follow predictable paths influenced by atmospheric conditions, and their strength is classified into categories. They are natural phenomena that can have devastating environmental and societal impacts.