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[[Image:Katrina.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hurricane Katrina approaching [[New Orleans]].]]

[[Image:Katrina.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hurricane Katrina approaching [[New Orleans]].]]

A '''tropical cyclone''' is a powerful, rotating [[storm]] that begins over a warm [[ocean]]. Tropical cyclones form in [[water]]s near the [[equator]], and then they move north.  The term '''hurricane''' denotes a tropical cyclone whose maximum sustained wind speed is at least 74 miles per hour.  Less severe tropical cyclones are known as tropical storms or tropical depressions, depending on intensity.

A '''tropical cyclone''' is a powerful, rotating [[storm]] that begins over a warm body of water. Tropical cyclones form in [[water]]s near the [[equator]], and then they move north.  The term '''hurricane''' denotes a tropical cyclone whose maximum sustained wind speed is at least 74 miles per hour.  Less severe tropical cyclones are known as tropical storms or tropical depressions, depending on intensity.

Hurricane [[wind]]s swirl about the [[eye]], a calm area in the center of the storm. The band of tall, dark clouds surrounding the eye is called the eyewall. The eye is usually 10 to 40 miles in diameter and is free of [[rain]] and large [[cloud]]s. In the eyewall, large changes in [[pressure]] create the hurricane's strongest winds. These winds can reach nearly 200 mph. Damaging winds may extend 250 miles from the eye.

Hurricane [[wind]]s swirl about the [[eye]], a calm area in the center of the storm. The band of tall, dark clouds surrounding the eye is called the eyewall. The eye is usually 10 to 40 miles in diameter and is free of [[rain]] and large [[cloud]]s. In the eyewall, large changes in [[pressure]] create the hurricane's strongest winds. These winds can reach nearly 200 mph. Damaging winds may extend 250 miles from the eye.

Hurricanes are referred to by different labels, depending on where they occur. They are called hurricanes if they occur over the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or Northeast Pacific Ocean; '''[[typhoon|typhoons]]''' if they occur in the Pacific Ocean west of the [[International Date Line]]; and '''cyclones''' if they occur in the Indian Ocean or southwest Pacific.  

Hurricanes are referred to by different labels, depending on where they occur. They are called '''hurricanes''' if they occur over the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or Northeast Pacific Ocean; '''[[typhoon|typhoons]]''' if they occur in the Pacific Ocean west of the [[International Date Line]]; and '''cyclones''' if they occur in the Indian Ocean or southwest Pacific.  

Hurricanes are most common during the [[summer]] and early [[Autumn| fall]]. In the [[Atlantic]] and the Northeast [[Pacific]], for example, [[August]] and [[September]] are the peak hurricane months. Typhoons occur throughout the year in the Northwest Pacific but are most frequent in summer. Approximately 85 hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical [[cyclone]]s occur in a year throughout the world.  

Hurricanes are most common during the [[summer]] and early [[Autumn| fall]]. In the [[Atlantic]] and the Northeast [[Pacific]], for example, [[August]] and [[September]] are the peak hurricane months. Typhoons occur throughout the year in the Northwest Pacific but are most frequent in summer. Approximately 85 hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical [[cyclone]]s occur in a year throughout the world.