Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Why Is It Calm in the Eye of a Hurricane?
Apr 25, 2025
Join meteorologist Shirley Murillo, a real-life hurricane hunter from NOAA, as she journeys into the eye of the storm. Discover why it’s eerily calm there while chaos reigns outside. Shirley shares thrilling tales from her flights into hurricanes, including invaluable lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina. With a fun analogy comparing hurricanes to a bundt cake, listeners will grasp the science of hurricane formation and the critical data collection that enhances storm safety. Buckle up for an exhilarating exploration!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Shirley's Hurricane Andrew Experience
- Shirley Murillo experienced Hurricane Andrew as a teenager in Miami, Florida, witnessing the storm's power firsthand.
- She saw damage like a streetlight cover blown into her yard, fueling her motivation to study hurricanes.
Flying Into Hurricanes
- Shirley describes flying into hurricanes as thrilling but intense, like riding a loud, roaring roller coaster.
- She admits to getting motion sickness sometimes, showing the challenges of hurricane hunting work.
Why the Eye Is Calm
- The eye of a hurricane forms because the central air pressure is very low and the air sinks down, creating calm conditions.
- This calm "eye" is surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms that form the eyewall with strong winds.