Book 7, Question 39 · Video
Why Do Hurricanes Have an “Eye”?
A hurricane is a giant spinning storm made of clouds, wind, and rain. In the very middle, there is a calm spot called the eye. Air sinks there, so the clouds clear and the winds di
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do hurricanes have an “eye”?
The Big Idea
A hurricane is a giant spinning storm made of clouds, wind, and rain. In the very middle, there is a calm spot called the eye. Air sinks there, so the clouds clear and the winds die down. Around the eye is a wall of tall storm clouds, and that is where the wildest winds blow.
Air Spirals In
Step one: air spirals inward. Warm, wet air rushes in over the ocean toward the low pressure at the center, and the spin of the Earth twists it into a giant swirl. The air has nowhere to go but up.
The Eyewall Rises
Step two: the eyewall rises. Near the center, the air shoots upward in a tall ring of thunderclouds called the eyewall. This ring has the strongest winds and the heaviest rain of the whole storm.
Air Sinks in the Eye
Step three: air sinks in the middle. Some of the air from the top sinks back down through the center. Sinking air warms up and dries out, so clouds melt away. The eye is often about 30 to 65 kilometers wide. That is roughly 20 to 40 miles.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a hurricane from above! The eye is the calm, clearer hole in the center. The eyewall is the ring of towering clouds around the eye, with the fiercest winds. And the rainbands are curved arms of showers that spiral far out from the middle.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The calm only lasts a short while. When the eye passes, the eyewall's strong winds return from the opposite direction. So the quiet is a trick! Nobody should step outside to enjoy the eye. Weather satellites and special hurricane-hunter airplanes can see right into the eye. If a hurricane warning is ever issued, a grown-up follows the official alerts and shelter plans.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, look at a satellite picture of a hurricane online. Find the round hole in the middle. That is the eye. Then trace the thick white ring of clouds around it. That is the eyewall. Ask yourself: why is the middle calm while the ring is so wild?
Outro
A quiet eye, a furious ring, and a whole lot of spinning air. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!