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One of the most powerful and destructive types of cyclonic storms is the tropical cyclone, otherwise known as the hurricane or typhoon. The storm develops over oceans in latitudes 8° to 15° N and S, but not close to the equator, where the Coriolis force is extremely weak. In many cases an easterly wave simply deepens and intensifies, growing into a deep, circular low. High sea-surface temperatures, which are over 80°F (27°C) in these latitudes, are of basic importance in the environment of storm origin. Warming of air at low level creates instability and predisposes toward storm formation.
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Once formed, the storm moves westward through the trade wind belt. It may then curve northwest and north, finally penetrating well into the belt of westerly winds. The tropical cyclone is an almost circular storm centre of extremely low pressure into which winds are spiraling with great speed, accompanies by very heavy rainfall. Storm diameter may be 100 to 300 mi (150 to 500 km); the wind velocities range from 75 to 125 mi (120 to 200 km) per hour, sometimes much more; and the barometric pressure in the centre commonly falls to 965 mb (28.5 in, 72.4 cm) or lower.
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A brief description of the passage of a tropical cyclone at sea might be as follows. During the day preceding the storm the air is generally calm, the pressure somewhat above normal, and the sky shows cirrus clouds in long streamers, seeming to originate from a distant point on the horizon. The cirrus may be veil-like, giving a halo to the sun or moon and producing a red sunset. A long swell is felt on the sea, this being the train of dying storm waves that have outrun the slowly moving storm center. As the storm approaches, the barometer begins to fall. Wind springs up. A great dark wall of cloud approaches. When this envelops the ship, torrential rainfall begins. The wind rises quickly to terrifying intensity. Great waves break over the vessel; the spray blows in continuous sheets, which reduce visibility almost to zero.
This terrible storm continues for several hours and is abruptly followed by total calm and clearing skies, and sometimes by a sharp rise in temperature. The barometer has now reached its lowest point and the vessel is in the calm centre eye of the storm. This is merely a hollow vortex produced by the rapid spiraling of air in the storm, comparable to the funnel-like air hole in the centre of a vortex of water passing down a drain. Although the air is clear and calm, seas are mountainous and rise in great peak like masses, which are of gravest peril to the vessel. The period of calm may last a half hour. Then a great dark wall of cloud strikes the vessel and winds of high velocity again set in, but this time, in reverse direction to those of the first half of the storm. For several hours more the full fury of the storm rages, then gradually the winds abate, the clouds break, and fair weather returns.
