WASHINGTON — Every year, hurricanes slam coastlines worldwide with fierce winds and huge waves. These powerful storms can be very destructive, with some packing winds of 185 mph.

So you may be surprised to learn that hurricanes are actually necessary. They help move heat away from the hot equator to cooler places, balancing the Earth’s temperature. And they don’t even have to hit land to do their job.

How It Works

Think of hurricanes like giant heat engines. They start over warm ocean water, pulling up warm, moist air. As this air rises and cools, it forms rain and clouds, releasing heat that fuels the storm. The hurricane then carries this heat away from the tropics, spreading warmth to cooler areas.

Hurricanes release massive amounts of energy, enough to power the entire world during

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