Hurricane
Characteristics
qDefinition:
Hurricanes have sustained winds of 120 km/hr (74 mph) or
greater.
qSize:
Average diameters are approximately 600 km (350
mi). (one third the size of mid-latitude cyclone)
qDuration: days
to a week or more.
qStrength:
Central pressure averages about 950 mb but may be
as low as 870 mb.
qPower: The
energy released by a single hurricane can exceed
the annual electricity consumption of the US and
Canada.