Hurricane Irene Forms
How does a hurricane form?
Although a complete picture is still being researched, insight into this process might be gleaned by watching the
above time lapse movie of the formation of
Hurricane Irene, a large storm system currently threatening the
eastern seaboard of the USA.
Starting as a
slight pressure difference visible as nondescript clouds on the lower right, Hurricane Irene is shown growing into large spiraling storm system of low pressure off the coast of
South Carolina.
A hurricane is powered by
evaporating ocean water, and so typically gains strength over warm water and loses strength over land.
Besides Earth, other planets that have hurricane-like storm systems include
Venus,
Saturn,
Jupiter,
Uranus, and
Neptune.
Much remains unknown about
hurricanes and cyclones, including the exact path they will take.
