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The eyewall is the most dangerous and destructive part of a tropical cyclone. It is a ring-shaped region surrounding the storm's eye where winds are strongest and rainfall is heaviest. These powerful winds are driven by rapid changes in atmospheric pressure near the eye, creating a significant pressure gradient force.12

Within the eyewall, convective clouds rise from near the surface to altitudes of about 15,000 meters (49,000 feet). While horizontal wind speeds are highest here, vertical wind speeds can reach up to 5 to 10 meters per second (18 to 36 km per hour). The eyewall is typically located 15 to 30 km (10 to 20 miles) from the storm's center.1

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