Fast Hurricane Facts

• Hurricanes have male and female names, but at one point, only female names were used.
• Most hurricanes rage harmlessly in the sea.
• Australians call hurricanes “willy-willies”.
• The New England hurricane of 1938 reported to have the fastest forward speed for a hurricane at 70 mph. The forward speed for an average hurricane is less than 20 mph.
• Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean runs from June 1st to November 30th.

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge storm! It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward andupward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane usually lasts for over a week, moving 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye." The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. It has only light winds and fair weather. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.

Hurricane Joke
Q-What did one hurricane say to the other hurricane?
A-I have my eye on you.