Ask A Scientist© Weather Archive

What is the difference between the eye of an hurricane and the eye of a 
tornado?

Dear Diana-

The eye of a hurricane and the eye of a tornado share one thing in common,
that being the air circulating around them moves in a counterclockwise
direction. Hurricanes are much bigger than tornadoes, and their "eye" or
center is much larger also. The eye of a hurricane can be several miles
across, even as much as 50 or more miles in diameter, while the eye of a
tornado may be only a few feet or yards in diameter. Winds in the eye of a
hurricane are light and variable, becoming almost calm as you approach the
center of the eye. The center of a tornado is very chaotic, and not
well-defined. Theoretically, the windspeeds at the center of the tornado
approach zero also, but the area is so small and irregular that it is
difficult to observe.

Wendell Bechtold, meteorologist
Forecaster, National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO

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