Hurricanes generate massive rainfall totals depending on storm size and moisture
Scientists explain how hurricanes form over warm water and why specific locations receive extreme rainfall amounts.
Formation requires warm ocean waters
A tropical thunderstorm complex needs lots of air moisture to begin developing. Winds must not change speed much with height while sea surface temperatures stay at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm water evaporates into the air and changes from liquid to vapor to fuel the storm.
Rainfall totals vary by location
Hurricane Harvey dropped over 60 inches of rain on one Texas town during five days in 2017. Hurricane Lane added 58 inches of rain to Kahuna Falls in Hawaii the following year. The biggest risk involves how much water falls on each specific place rather than the total amount.
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