What is a hurricane and outline the structure of a hurricane

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, anti-circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Hurricanes can reach extreme speeds that can go faster than 155mph. A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, anti-circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Hurricanes can reach extreme speeds that can go faster than 155mph. 
The main parts of a hurricane are the spiral rainbands on its outer edges, the eye and they eyewall. The "eye" is a roughly circular area of comparatively light winds and fair weather found at the centre of a severe tropical cyclone. Although the winds are calm at the axis of rotation, strong winds may extend well into the eye. There is little or no precipitation and sometimes blue sky or stars can be seen. The eye is the region of lowest surface pressure and warmest temperature
The eyewall- The dense wall of thunderstorms surrounding the eye has the strongest winds within the storm. Changes in the structure of the eye and eyewall can cause changes in the wind speed, which is an indicator of the storm's intensity. The eye can grow or shrink in size, At the surface, the winds are rushing towards the centre of a hurricane -- forcing air upwards at the centre. The coriolis force acts on these surface winds, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the deflection is to the right. The convergence at the eye wall is so strong here that the air is being lifted faster and with more force here than any other location of the hurricane. Thus, the moisture transport from the ocean and subsequent latent heat production is maximised
The spiral rain bands: Rain bands are long, arching bands of clouds and thunderstorms that spiral out from the eye wall. Heavy bursts of rain and wind are usually associated with rain bands. These structures form the outer most fringes of the tropical cyclone structure, and the winds contained within the bands decrease outward from the eye wall. With landfalling hurricanes, tornadoes are a common threat associated with rain bands coming onshore. Also, gaps between the bands are often calm with no wind or rain

Answered by Katie L. Geography tutor

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