What happens if you are inside the eye of a hurricane?

Arabia Weather - We have all heard the phrase “eye of the storm,” but what does this word mean? What does it mean to be in the middle of a hurricane? Is it safe to be outside? Can you let your guard down during a storm or hurricane? Many questions arise in our minds about the hurricane and the eye of the hurricane. We will take a closer look at them.

The eye of a hurricane is a relatively calm area located directly in the center of a hurricane system. However, this does not mean that you are completely safe if you are inside the eye of a hurricane. While you feel calm at this moment inside the eye, that can change at any time as the hurricane moves or the eye contracts. Cyclone.

Tropical cyclones can be large systems capable of causing significant destruction and damage, especially when they can reach areas inland. Tropical cyclones are a type of hurricane that generate energy from the heat of ocean water and move counterclockwise within a closed system.

The most striking facts about a hurricane are that it is a group of storms that wrap around the center and the remaining parts wrap outward. The hurricane consists of three parts

• Spiral rainbands: These are clouds and storms that move outward in a spiral motion, away from the center.
• Eyewall: The most turbulent area of the hurricane; It is the area surrounding the eye of the hurricane and it has the strongest and most violent winds, and it has overcast clouds from which heavy rain falls, and it has rising air currents.
  

  Gusts may reach 225-360 km/h in a violent storm, and strong winds cause the sea to rage and high waves crash, which may reach a height of six meters or more, demolishing homes, destroying facilities, uprooting trees, telephone and electricity poles, killing people and disrupting life.

• The eye of the hurricane: It is the center of the hurricane and its diameter ranges between 20-30 km. The air pressure there is very low, and it is characterized by calm winds, descending air currents prevail, and it is devoid of clouds.

What is the eye of a hurricane?

What we're interested in now is the eye of a hurricane, usually a circular area with much slower winds (possibly up to 15 mph) and generally calm weather compared to the rest of the storm. The eye wall surrounds this area.

Depending on the size of the hurricane, the eye can be as large as 120 miles, but the average is much smaller, only about 20 miles in diameter. The eye contains air that slowly descends, creating an updraft in the eye wall. As a result, they often have minimal pressure and can appear warm.

What happens inside the eye of a hurricane?

The answer to this question depends on where you look at the eye from. When a hurricane is still in the water, the eye can be one of the most dangerous parts of the storm. This is due to the omnidirectional waves collapsing, creating much larger waves.

On Earth, the center can be relatively calm, and skies can appear clear — and sometimes, you can even see the sun from inside the storm. However, it is important to remember that this is not a permanent condition because tornadoes usually move across land as a result of the storm.

Calm can be tempting and make it seem like the storm has passed. However, this is not the recommended procedure. Until you get information that the storm has completely passed, you should stay inside because even in the eye, you are exposed to one major hazard - the eye wall.

Don't be tempted by the calm inside the eye of the hurricane

The eyewall rotates outside the eye and is where the strongest winds in a hurricane are located. It is the most chaotic location, with strong winds and rain, which can create a complete path of destruction. Therefore, there is always a risk of something else happening outside.

In some stronger hurricanes, eyewall winds can reach 140 miles per hour. The wind in this region also has another dangerous weapon: changing directions. This poses a huge risk because this could mean that the storm could start again in a new place without even a second to alert you of what is going to happen.

That's why experts advise not to be fooled by the eye of a hurricane. As the saying goes, it's not a permanent condition – it's temporary, and going out to investigate can put you in serious danger.

What many people forget when they are in the eye of the storm is that this means that half of the hurricane has not yet passed over the area. The back part of a hurricane presents the same risks as the front part, and in some cases it can be more dangerous, especially if it is still connected to the sea.

Another big risk that many may not consider is the rare occurrence of an eyewall replacement cycle in a hurricane. Many may not know that the diameter of the eye can change suddenly, putting everything in that area at serious risk.

At peak hurricane intensity, the eye can shrink to a much smaller size than it was before, as pressure causes the storm to move closer to the center. Moisture and momentum can weaken the eyewall, which can lead to strong, damaging winds.

So, when you find yourself in the eye of the storm, follow experts' recommendations and stay inside. Even though things may seem calm, there are still chances that you could be in danger. Stay in your shelter until you get an official warning that the hurricane is over.

The eye of a hurricane can be very dangerous, and not just because of the wind and rain. The danger is still there when you are in the center - so always be alert and be prepared for sudden changes due to the eye wall replacement cycle or any other phenomenon. We never know what could happen, so it's always better to be safe than to regret it later

Source: stormadvisor