A storm is a meteorological event characterized by severe weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain or snow, thunder and lightning. Storms can occur anywhere in the world, but are most common in areas where there is a large contrast in temperature between the air and the ground, such as over warm ocean waters or cold land masses. Storms typically last for several hours and can cause damage to property and disrupt transportation and communication networks.
Storms are classified into two categories: tropical storms and extratropical storms. Tropical storms form over warm ocean waters near the equator and typically move northward or westward. These storms can bring high winds, heavy rains, flooding and sometimes mudslides to coastal areas. Extratropical storms form over colder regions of the world away from the equator and usually travel eastward. These storms often produce strong winds, but usually have lighter rains than tropical storms.
The most severe type of storm is a hurricane, which is a tropical cyclone with sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour) or more. Hurricanes typically form over warm ocean waters near the equator and travel northward or westward toward landmasses. As they approach land, they can grow in strength, with some hurricanes reaching wind speeds of more than 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour). Hurricanes can cause widespread damage to coastal areas due to their high winds, heavy rains and storm surge – an increase in sea level that can inundate low-lying areas when the hurricane makes landfall.