<P> The stadium effect is a phenomenon observed in strong tropical cyclones . It is a fairly common event, where the clouds of the eyewall curve outward from the surface with height . This gives the eye an appearance resembling an open dome from the air, akin to a sports stadium . An eye is always larger at the top of the storm, and smallest at the bottom of the storm because the rising air in the eyewall follows isolines of equal angular momentum, which also slope outward with height . In tropical cyclones with very small eyes, the sloping phenomenon is much more pronounced . </P> <P> An eye - like structure is often found in intensifying tropical cyclones . Similar to the eye seen in hurricanes or typhoons, it is a circular area at the circulation center of the storm in which convection is absent . These eye - like features are most normally found in intensifying tropical storms and hurricanes of Category 1 strength on the Saffir - Simpson scale . For example, an eye - like feature was found in Hurricane Beta when the storm had maximum wind speeds of only 80 km / h (50 mph), well below hurricane force . The features are typically not visible on visible wavelengths or infrared wavelengths from space, although they are easily seen on microwave satellite imagery . Their development at the middle levels of the atmosphere is similar to the formation of a complete eye, but the features might be horizontally displaced due to vertical wind shear . </P> <P> Though the eye is by far the calmest part of the storm, with no wind at the center and typically clear skies, over the ocean it is possibly the most hazardous area . In the eyewall, wind - driven waves all travel in the same direction . In the center of the eye, however, the waves converge from all directions, creating erratic crests that can build on each other to become rogue waves . The maximum height of hurricane waves is unknown, but measurements during Hurricane Ivan when it was a Category 4 hurricane estimated that waves near the eyewall exceeded 40 m (130 ft) from peak to trough . </P> <P> A common mistake, especially in areas where hurricanes are uncommon, is for residents to exit their homes to inspect the damage while the calm eye passes over, only to be caught off guard by the violent winds in the opposite eyewall . </P>

Air flow in the eye of a hurricane