Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: DOWNTOEARTH

Context

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean, has made landfall over the Caribbean island of Jamaica.

What is Hurricane Melissa?

Hurricane Melissa is an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm with wind speeds approaching 300 km/hr.

Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

They are rotating storm systems characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.

They form over warm ocean waters (above 26.5°C) and derive their energy from the latent heat released as moist air rises and condenses.

Formation Conditions for hurricane

Warm ocean waters (at least 50 meters deep).
Low vertical wind shear (winds at different altitudes do not vary significantly, allowing the storm to grow vertically).
Moisture in the mid-troposphere.
A pre-existing disturbance or weather system.
Sufficient Coriolis effect (provided by a location at least 5 degrees away from the equator) to initiate rotation.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

This 1 to 5 scale classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds, providing an estimate of potential property damage.

How is Climate Change Influencing Hurricane Activity?

Increased Intensity

Warmer sea surface temperatures fuel more powerful tropical cyclones, leading to a higher frequency of very intense storms (Category 4 and 5).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) projects an increase in the proportion of intense tropical cyclones globally.

Increased Precipitation

A warmer atmosphere causes increased moisture, leading to heavier rainfall during tropical cyclones and a greater risk of inland flooding.

The IPCC AR6 predicts that extreme rainfall events will intensify with continued global warming.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following conditions are essential for the formation of a hurricane?

A. Sea surface temperature above 26.5°C extending to a depth of at least 50 meters, strong vertical wind shear, and high Coriolis force.

B. Sea surface temperature above 26.5°C extending to a depth of at least 50 meters, low vertical wind shear, and sufficient Coriolis force.

C. Cold ocean currents, high vertical wind shear, and presence of jet streams.

D. Low atmospheric pressure, proximity to the equator, and absence of pre-existing weather disturbances.

Answer: B

Explanation

Hurricanes, or tropical cyclones, require specific conditions to form and intensify. These include warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C to a depth of 50 meters), moist air in the lower and middle troposphere, and low vertical wind shear. A sufficient Coriolis force is also crucial for the cyclonic rotation, which is why hurricanes do not form near the equator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A hurricane is a large, rotating storm with high-speed winds that forms over warm tropical waters. It produces heavy rainfall, powerful winds of at least 74 mph, and a storm surge.

Hurricanes require a few specific conditions to develop, including warm ocean waters (at least 26°C), moist air, and low wind shear (a minimal change in wind direction and speed at different altitudes). This allows the storm clouds to rise and strengthen vertically.

Tropical storms are given names by the World Meteorological Organization from a pre-determined list to help track and distinguish them. If a hurricane is destructive, its name is retired and replaced with a new one.