A Hurricane in the Gulf

Last Friday, Hurricane Georges was photographed from space entering the Gulf of Mexico . This immense storm system , larger than most states, is expected to make landfall today. Starting as a slight pressure difference, hurricanes grow into large spiraling storm systems of low pressure, complete with high winds and driving rain. A hurricane is powered by evaporating ocean water, and so typically gains strength over warm water and loses strength over land. Currently offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricanes Ivan , Jeanne , and Karl swirl, but will likely stay well away from North America. Recent GOES Satellite Image