Landfall (meteorology)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hurricane Charley making landfall on August 13, 2004 at its peak intensity.
Hurricane Charley making landfall on August 13, 2004 at its peak intensity.

Landfall is the time or place at which a tropical cyclone or waterspout moves onto land after previously being over water. For tropical cyclones, this is typically the point at which the center of the storm's eye comes ashore. This is also usually the area where most of the damage is done, since on one hand there is usually not much to be destroyed on water, and on the other hand cyclones weaken quickly after they have moved onto land.