Hurricane 101: Essential Facts About Nature's Fury

Formation: Hurricanes typically form over warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C or 80°F) and require a combination of moisture, low wind shear, and the Coriolis effect to develop.

Categories: Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson scale, which ranges from Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest), based on sustained wind speeds and potential damage.

Eye and Eyewall: The center of a hurricane is called the eye, which is typically calm and clear. Surrounding the eye is the eyewall, where the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall occur.

Seasonality: In the Atlantic, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak typically occurring in September.

Dissipation: Hurricanes weaken when they move over land or cooler waters, losing the warm water energy that fuels them. They can also dissipate if they encounter strong wind shear.