Characteristics of world weather and climate
Hurricanes
Hurricanes and their counterparts in other places (typhoons near Japan and cyclones off India and Australia), are moderately large low-pressure systems that form most often during the warmer months of the year.
Hurricanes mainly occur near the Equator, in regions with prevailing easterly winds. These systems develop winds between 75 and 150 miles an hour and, on some rare occasions, winds even stronger. As the storms move toward the middle latitudes, where the prevailing winds are mainly westerly, they can “recurve” (move toward the east). Some hurricanes have stayed nearly stationary at times, while others have made loops and spirals along their paths.
The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from the 1st of June until the 30th of November. Even though this is the main hurricane season, hurricanes have occurred outside of these months, this “season” was selected to cover over 97% of tropical weather activity. The season peaks in the Atlantic basin from August to October, with 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the minor hurricane days, and 96% of the major hurricane days occurring in those months. Maximum activity is in early to mid September.
Globally, September is the most active month and May is the least active month.
