A single hurricane can release more energy in one day than the entire world's electricity production for a whole year.

The energy released by a hurricane comes in two forms: the energy of the wind and the energy released during the condensation of water droplets. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average hurricane produces about 1.5 trillion Watts of energy through wind alone. However, the energy released by cloud formation and rain is significantly higher, totaling approximately 600 trillion Watts per day.This process is driven by latent heat, which is the energy released when water vapor turns into liquid water. For a typical hurricane, this heat energy is equivalent to about 200 times the total worldwide electrical generating capacity. To put this in perspective, the total global electricity production in 2022 was roughly 29,000 Terawatt-hours, while a single large storm can release over 50,000 Terawatt-hours in just 24 hours.Researchers at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory have noted that this massive energy output is what allows hurricanes to maintain their structure over long distances. The heat released during condensation warms the surrounding air, making it more buoyant and causing it to rise further, which lowers surface pressure and draws in more moist air. This self-sustaining cycle continues as long as the storm remains over warm water of at least 26.5 degrees Celsius.