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Hurricane Impact On Tropical And Subtropical Waters

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A hurricane is referred to a storm that forms over tropical and subtropical waters. Hurricanes have the power to destroy life and property. Hurricanes are referred to as “Typhoons” in the Western Pacific and “Cyclones” in Southeast Asia. On average, the “Hurricane Season” begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. A Hurricane’s intensity is measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A storm is classified as a hurricane when its wind speed goes above 74 mph (NOAA 2014). A hurricane is classified on a 1 to 5 category, based on its maximum wind speed. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane is potential for damage.
A hurricane forms over warm waters near the equator. A hurricane goes through four stages of development from a disturbance to a hurricane. The first stage is known as Tropical Disturbance. Tropical Disturbance is a weak storm over tropical waters, containing mild winds, clouds, and precipitation. The second stage is known as a Tropical Depression. A Tropical Depression is formed when a group of thunderstorms comes together to produce circular wind flow. A Tropical Depression flows with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph (NASA 2015). The third stage in hurricane formation is known as a Tropical Storm. A Tropical Storm forms when a tropical depression’s cyclonic circulation becomes more organized and produces winds up to 73 mph. The fourth and final step of hurricane formation is the hurricane itself. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane as

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