1. Formation:
* Form over warm ocean waters, typically with temperatures above 80°F (26.5°C).
* Develop in the tropics, near the equator.
2. Structure:
* Eye: A calm, clear area in the center of the storm.
* Eyewall: A ring of intense thunderstorms surrounding the eye, where the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall occur.
* Spiral Bands: Bands of thunderstorms extending outwards from the eyewall.
3. Wind Speed:
* Winds exceeding 74 mph (119 km/h) characterize a typhoon.
* They can reach speeds of over 150 mph (240 km/h) in the strongest storms.
* Winds rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. Rainfall:
* Produce torrential rainfall, often exceeding 10 inches (25 cm) in a 24-hour period.
* Can cause flooding and landslides.
5. Storm Surge:
* A rise in sea level caused by the typhoon's powerful winds pushing water towards the coast.
* Can cause significant coastal flooding and damage.
6. Size:
* Can be hundreds of miles across.
* The largest typhoons can span over 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
7. Energy:
* Typhoons are massive energy systems fueled by the latent heat released when water vapor condenses in the thunderstorms.
* This energy drives the storm's powerful winds and heavy rainfall.
8. Movement:
* Typhoons typically move westward, guided by the trade winds.
* Their paths can be influenced by other weather systems and land masses.
It's important to remember that these characteristics can vary greatly between typhoons. Each storm has unique properties and intensities.
