In this guided Web exploration you'll discover: How hurricanes form. Stages a hurricane goes through as it develops into a major storm. What causes hurricanes to move. How hurricanes are categorized.

 

Hurricanes are a phenomenal force of nature. They are hundreds of miles wide, travel thousands of miles over vast oceans and last for more than a week! While violent storms affect all parts of the world, the United States is certainly a prime target. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused between $25 and $30 billion in damage to southern Florida and Louisianaand was the costliest storm in history. (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html)

But it was neither the most powerful nor the deadliest storm ever to strike the U.S. The strongest, most intense storm to hit the United States was the Labor Day hurricane of 1935. It ravaged the Florida Keys with rain and winds
in excess of 155 mph. (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wh1935.htm)

The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history struck Galveston, Texas in 1900 and killed nearly 8,000 people! ( http://www.srh.noaa.gov/FTPROOT/LCH/txhur.htm)

What could possibly cause such catastrophic storms to develop?

Let's explore!