Hurricane Fact SheetA hurricane is a large whirling storm that usually measures 200 to 500 miles (320 to 800 km) across.
On
average each year, six Atlantic hurricanes occur.
Sustained winds of 100-150 mph (160-240 km/h) occur with a typical hurricane. Some winds may exceed 200 mph (320 km/h).
The eye of
hurricane averages 14-25 miles (22-40 km) across. The eye is quite calm as compared to
winds in
eye wall.
The winds of
hurricane spin in a counterclockwise direction in
Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in
Southern Hemisphere.
In
North Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Over
Western Pacific,
typical cyclone season is never quite over.