American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice

The eye wall of a hurricane is described as the area with the highest wind speeds surrounding the eye. This region is characterized by intense thunderstorms and is where the strongest winds are found, typically featuring the most severe weather conditions associated with the storm. The eye of the hurricane itself is a relatively calm area at the center, but the eye wall is where the destructive forces of the hurricane are concentrated. The winds can be significantly stronger here than in other parts of the storm, leading to heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions.

The other options do not accurately define the eye wall. A calm area at the center of the storm, as mentioned in one choice, refers specifically to the eye rather than the eye wall. The notion of a flat region at the base of the hurricane does not align with how the eye wall is structured, and an outer boundary of the storm system does not capture the intense, localized conditions of the eye wall itself. Understanding the dynamics of the eye wall is crucial for assessing the potential impacts of a hurricane.