Why do hurricanes spin the way the do? Same for water down a drain. Yes- I already know, but am curious.
Why do hurricanes spin the way the do? Same for water down a drain. Yes- I already know, but am curious.
We'll keep the lights on for you.
Spuds
Its called the coriolis effect.
Coriolis effect
Infrared image of a powerful southern hemisphere cyclone, Monica, near peak intensity, showing clockwise rotation due to the Coriolis effectThe Earth's rotation imparts an acceleration known as the Coriolis effect, Coriolis acceleration, or colloquially, Coriolis force. This acceleration causes cyclonic systems to turn towards the poles in the absence of strong steering currents.[49] The poleward portion of a tropical cyclone contains easterly winds, and the Coriolis effect pulls them slightly more poleward. The westerly winds on the equatorward portion of the cyclone pull slightly towards the equator, but, because the Coriolis effect weakens toward the equator, the net drag on the cyclone is poleward. Thus, tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere usually turn north (before being blown east), and tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere usually turn south (before being blown east) when no other effects counteract the Coriolis effect.[19]
The Coriolis effect also initiates cyclonic rotation, but it is not the driving force that brings this rotation to high speeds ? that force is the heat of condensation
[img]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg277/cfd_1623/l_718884585b96167d3016bd636fbe24c0.gif[/img]
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