September26 Hurricanes Factors & Distribution web

What are the main ingredients required for hurricane formation?

Seawater temperatures above 26-27ºC, warm humid air, low wind shear, and being at least ~500 km away from the equator.

What is the Coriolis effect?

The apparent deflection of winds and currents due to Earth's rotation, causing winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

How do tropical cyclones differ based on location?

Tropical cyclones are called hurricanes in the Atlantic & Eastern Pacific, typhoons in the Western Pacific, and cyclones in the Southern Pacific and Indian Oceans.

What historical data sources track hurricane paths?

Data from the Atlantic since 1851 and the Pacific since 1949 provide tracks of tropical cyclones.

What atmospheric conditions fuel storms?

Insolation, which is incoming solar radiation, affects atmospheric circulation and storm formation.

What are hurricane tracks influenced by?

Influenced by the Bermuda High, which can guide hurricanes through various paths depending on its size.

What are the key characteristics of Hurricane Helene as of September 25, 2024?

It was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane with expected landfall as a major Category 4, affecting many counties in Florida.

What do warm, humid air and low wind shear contribute to in hurricane formation?

They help sustain convection and prevent disruption of the developing storm.

How does atmospheric circulation contribute to weather patterns?

Unequal heating leads to energy transfer and the creation of mid-latitude storms.

What does it mean when a storm is categorized as a tropical cyclone?

It refers to a non-frontal, warm-core, low-pressure system with organized circulation developing over tropical waters.