A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone that sustains winds of 74 miles per hour and greater. Hurricanes occur in the tropical regions of the world in 7 distinct basins, and are called Hurricanes in the Carribean, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific, Typhoons in the western Pacific, and Cyclones in the Indian Ocean. A hurricane "watch" is issued when the threat of storm conditions is expected between 24-36 hours. A "warning" is issued when the storm is expected within 24 hours or less.

Objectives

• Students will learn what a hurricane is, and how and where they are formed.
• Students will learn how to prepare for a hurricane and what to do in the event of a storm.
• Students will be taken to some of the best hurricane resources available on the Web where they can research and retrieve all kinds of storm data including historical storms, careers, tracking instruments, current weather maps, and much more.

Concepts

1. What conditions are necessary to create a hurricane?
2. Where do hurricanes occur? 
3. When is hurricane season?
4. What is the difference between a tropical cyclone and a hurricane?
5. How is the strength of a hurricane measured?
6. Where do hurricanes get their names?

Terms To Learn