Hurricanes and storms revolve around an "eye," which is right in the center of the storm. The eye of the hurricane is an interesting phenomenon, and it usually decreases in size as the storm gains strength.

Some believe that the eye of the hurricane is a safe place, but the truth is that this region still presents a risk, and so it is necessary to continue seeking protection and cover. The hurricane's strongest winds are right around the eye.

The formation of a hurricane

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Cyclones form when warm water, warm moist air, and weak upper-level winds combine. Hurricanes form when a rapidly increasing volume of warm, moist air from ocean surfaces combines with large masses of cold air.

Hot water vapor condenses as a result of the impact, then creates storm clouds and returns as rain. Latent heat is released as the condensation process occurs. The cold air above is heated by the latent heat, which causes it to rise and make room for the warmer, more humid air coming from below, on the ocean surface.

As the storm intensifies, a greater amount of warm, moist air is drawn in, and a large amount of heat transfers from the water surface to the sky. Because of the constant transfer of energy, a pattern in the wind forms, swirling around a relatively calm core.

The whirling storm continues to strengthen and eventually becomes a hurricane if conditions remain the same, indicating that there is enough energy for the storm to continue growing. A hole in the center of the storm, known as the eye of the hurricane, emerges when it becomes strong and powerful enough.

Parts of the hurricane

Around the storm, rain bands hundreds of miles long carry rain, clouds, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes. It is at this point that the hurricane area begins to circle the rest of the storm. The eye of the hurricane, which forms near the core of the storm as it intensifies, is near the center of the storm.

Eye of a hurricane seen from space.

While severe storms and high winds are present in this region, the eye of the hurricane is located right in the middle of the storm. In fact, the development of the eye of a hurricane helps meteorologists and forecasters assess the intensity of the hurricane. Fewer clouds are seen in the eye and wind speeds decrease.

Why does the eye of the hurricane form?

About the precise process by which the eye of the hurricane forms, researchers are still uncertain. One accepted explanation is that this would be the effect of winds losing strength due to decreasing pressure.

Another hypothesis states that the energy generated by the eye of the hurricane, which forces the air inside the storm's core downward, is what causes its formation. However, one thing is certain: the air condenses and heats up as it descends. The water behind the eye becomes buoyant as a result, rising and generating waves.

The eye of the hurricane is responsible for the extremely high wind speeds. There are times where the rain bands are so strong that they create a second eye inside the cyclone. As the second eye advances, it swallows up the first eye.