ESS5
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Hurricane Characteristics
q Definition: Hurricanes have sustained winds of 120 km/hr (74 mph) or greater.
q Size:
Average diameters are approximately 600 km (350 mi). (one third the size of mid-latitude
cyclone)
q Duration:
days to a week or more.
q Strength:
Central pressure averages about 950 mb but may be as low as 870 mb.
q Power:
The energy released by a single hurricane can exceed the annual electricity consumption of the US and Canada.