Eyewall

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Eye of Typhoon Odessa, Pacific Ocean, August 1985
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Eye of Typhoon Odessa, Pacific Ocean, August 1985

The eyewall is the region of a tropical cyclone with the strongest winds, the tallest clouds, and the heaviest rain. It is the area directly around the eye of the cyclone. The greatest damage caused by tropical cyclones occurs where the eyewall crosses over land. The strongest tropical cyclones have an eyewall that wraps completely around the eye of the storm; storms where the eyewall does not completely wrap around the eye are not as strong or as well-formed.

Eyewall replacement cycles

It has been suggested that Eyewall Replacement Cycle be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)


In many major tropical cyclones, the storm will undergo an eyewall replacement cycle. In this process, the eyewall contracts to a smaller size, and outer rain bands form a new eyewall. This new eyewall weakens the original, and eventually replaces it completely. During the replacement cycle, the storm weakens, sometimes dramatically, but afterwards the storm will often be stronger than before. On rare occasions, additional concentric eyewalls will form.

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