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MEMA Home > Programs> Communication> News > Hurricane Awareness: the Basics

Hurricane Awareness: the Basics

Hurricane Ivan - 2004 (Image courtesy NOAA)


July 19, 2010


The name "Hurricane" is derived from the Caribbean god of evil, "hurican". The unpredictable behavior, high seas and devastating winds have been our nemesis for centuries.

The National Weather Service has declared the week of July 19th through the 23rd to be Hurricane Awareness Week in New England. The NWS Forecast Offices in Maine will be issuing information about hurricanes and safety each day during this week, and have provided us with a wealth of information to share at Maine Prepares. Visit the Maine Prepares site every day for articles and tips on hurricane preparedness.

Tropical Cyclonse, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

The term "tropical cyclone" is a generic name given to a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by showers and thunderstorms and a counterclockwise wind circulation. Depending on the strength of the winds in the circulation, tropical cyclones are further divided into:

  • Tropical depressions,
  • Tropical storms, and
  • Hurricanes

The tropical cyclones that affect eastern North America generally form in either the tropical Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or in the Gulf of Mexico. The three main conditions which favor tropical cyclone development are

  1. warm ocean waters,
  2. atmospheric moisture, and
  3. relatively light winds aloft

In addition, an atmospheric disturbance, called a tropical wave, is needed to initiate the development the counter-clockwise wind circulation. If the favorable conditions persist for a sufficient amount of time, the tropical disturbance can strengthen to a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane.

When the winds in a tropical cyclone reach tropical storm strength (39 mph, 34 kt), the storm is "named". Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

Tropical depression:

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 miles per hour (33 knots) or less.

Tropical storm:




The well-developed hurricane consists of an eye, an eyewall, and spiral bands of showers and thunderstorms. In the eye, winds are relative calm and there is a gentle sinking motion in the atmosphere which leads to mostly clear skies.

Surrounding the eye is the eyewall which contains the most violent winds, the most intense showers and thunderstorms in the hurricane, and can contain tornadoes. The winds in the eyewall also have the greatest potential for causing a deadly storm surge. Outside the eyewall, spiral bands of showers and thunderstorms rotate around the storm. These bands of showers and thunderstorms can also be very intense, can move into an area very rapidly, and are the most likely area in the hurricane for tornadoes to form.

Hurricanes and tropical storms bring with them four main threats: high winds, coastal storm surge, inland fresh water flooding, and tornadoes.

While hurricane season lasts from June through November, the peak of the season is from mid-August through October. Each year, an average of ten tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Many of these storms remain over the ocean, and an average of six become hurricanes each year. During an average 3-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the US coastline, killing approximately 45 people (an average of 15.5 per year) anywhere from Texas to Maine. Of these, two are typically "major" or "intense" hurricanes (winds greater than 110 mph).



For additional information about hurricanes and hurricane safety, visit the National Hurricane Center's web site at:

Also visit National Weather Service Caribou at and Gray at



Beth Barton or Lynette Miller


Last update: 07/20/10