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Question
how do they form?do they spin clock wise ?
Carmen,
Hurricanes form over warm ocean or sea water that is at least 80 degrees F. That is the source of their energy. Usually, they begin as a cluster of thunderstorms. Over time, this mass of showers and thunderstorms develops a low level circulation. The latent heat of condesation adds more heat to the atmosphere, and the whole cycle feeds on itself. That in turn lowers the surface pressures, increases the pressure gradient, and strengthens the wind flow. As long as there is not too much upper level wind shear to "blow the top off of the storm", then the system eventually becomes a hurricane...as long as it remains over water that is at least 80 degrees F.
No, they spin counterclockwise, just like any other storm system does in the northern hemisphere.
Sincerely,
Dave Dombek
Expert Senior Meteorologist
AccuWeather.com
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Dave Dombek
Expertise
A weather enthusiast from an early age, Dave Dombek is now an AccuWeather meteorology expert.
Experience
Dave received his B.S. degree in meteorology from the Pennsylvania State University in May of 1980. Dave joined AccuWeather in July of 1980, beginning in the Snow Warning Service late that fall after his few month period of training. Within a short period of time, Dave got involved in radio broadcasting. He spent over 25 years broadcasting forecasts on radio stations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, and has also done newspaper forecasts and television briefings. Currently, Dave is the lead television briefer for all of AccuWeather's television clients in the northeatern quarter of the nation. In his daily forecasting routine, Dave helps coordinate the forecasts in the northeastern part of the country. He is also the Director of Forecaster Hiring and is in charge of hiring new meteorologists. Finally, Dave is the supervisor of the climatology department at AccuWeather. An avid outdoorsman, Dave enjoys hunting and trout fishing. He also enjoys watching football and is a student of history and current events. If Dave doesn't already have enough on his plate, he is married with two teenage daughters. He also leads a small Messianic congregation in the State College, Pa. area.
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