Hurricanes are divided into five categories using different variables on the Saffir/Simpson scale (Guida). Those variables include pressure, wind speed, water surge, and damage (Guida). Hurricanes require the Coriolis force, warm ocean water that is at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit, upper level winds with minimal force, and upper level divergence of air that exceeds the lower level convergence of air (Guida). The reason the upper level divergence must exceed lower convergence is so that the hurricane can “keep drawing air and moisture upward” (Guida). Additionally, the reason weak upper winds are favorable is because strong upper winds cause the top layer of clouds vanish (Guida). The hurricane is comprised of three parts: the eye, collar clouds, and spiral rain bands (Guida). The eye is the center of the hurricane with sinking air inside (Guida). The collars clouds are composed of thick cumulonimbus clouds. The boundary between the eye and collar clouds “is the most extreme in nature.” (Guida). A hurricane begins to dissipate over land because there is no more warm water to feed it
Hurricanes are divided into five categories using different variables on the Saffir/Simpson scale (Guida). Those variables include pressure, wind speed, water surge, and damage (Guida). Hurricanes require the Coriolis force, warm ocean water that is at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit, upper level winds with minimal force, and upper level divergence of air that exceeds the lower level convergence of air (Guida). The reason the upper level divergence must exceed lower convergence is so that the hurricane can “keep drawing air and moisture upward” (Guida). Additionally, the reason weak upper winds are favorable is because strong upper winds cause the top layer of clouds vanish (Guida). The hurricane is comprised of three parts: the eye, collar clouds, and spiral rain bands (Guida). The eye is the center of the hurricane with sinking air inside (Guida). The collars clouds are composed of thick cumulonimbus clouds. The boundary between the eye and collar clouds “is the most extreme in nature.” (Guida). A hurricane begins to dissipate over land because there is no more warm water to feed it