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Why do hurricanes gain strength by warm water and not cold water?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Warm water tends to warm the air above it and also has a higher evaporation rate, which leads to the formation of a warm, moist air mass. Warm, moist air holds the large amounts of energy needed for a hurricane to strengthen and maintain its strength.
Cold water tends to cool the air above it and has a low evaporation rate, leading to cooler, drier, more stable air. This cool, dry air does not provide the energy a hurricane needs, and its stability may actual rob energy from the convection that powers the storm.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Hurricanes gain strength from warm water because it provides the energy needed for their formation and intensification. The warm water evaporates, creating moisture-laden air that rises and condenses, releasing heat that fuels the storm. Cold water, on the other hand, inhibits this process and prevents the hurricane from gaining strength.
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Do hurricanes gain strength by tropical cyclones?
No. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone.
Why do some scientist think that gobal warming would increase the strength of an hurricanes?
Hurricanes get their energy from warm ocean water. Warmer water usually means more potential for hurricanes to form and gain strength. Warmer water resulting from global warming could therefore lead to stronger hurricanes. Some have suggested, however, that changes to other factors such as wind shear could negate the effects of warmer oceans on hurricanes.
How can a hurricane strengthen over cold water?
A true hurricane cannot strength over cold water. However, hurricanes that move into colder environments can undergo a process called extratropical transition in which they lose tropical characteristics. After this is complete the storm is no longer a hurricane but is considered an extratropical cyclone. These storm systems gain their strength from temperature contrasts rather than warm water. A hurricane undergoing this transition brings tropical air into a cold environment, creating conditions ideal for a very powerful extratropical cyclone.
Why do hurricanes rapidly decline on reaching land?
Hurricanes gain power from water so as it nears land, it loses some of its energy.
Do hurricane occur in water?
Hurricanes FORM over water. They also gain their intensity over water. When a hurricane comes in over land, it of course causes the most destruction to man-made Objects. However, when over land Hurricanes generally weaken or dissipate.
What do hurricanes need to gain strength?
The warmth of the ocean water (apex)
Do hurricanes gain strength by tropical cyclones?
No. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone.
Why do some scientist think that gobal warming would increase the strength of an hurricanes?
Hurricanes get their energy from warm ocean water. Warmer water usually means more potential for hurricanes to form and gain strength. Warmer water resulting from global warming could therefore lead to stronger hurricanes. Some have suggested, however, that changes to other factors such as wind shear could negate the effects of warmer oceans on hurricanes.
Why does a hurricane lose strength when it passes over land?
Hurricanes gain strength from the warmth of the ocean water.
Do hurricanes gain energy?
Yes. Hurricanes gain energy from moisture that evaporates from warm ocean water. A hurricane could never develop if it were unable to gain energy.
How can a hurricane strengthen over cold water?
A true hurricane cannot strength over cold water. However, hurricanes that move into colder environments can undergo a process called extratropical transition in which they lose tropical characteristics. After this is complete the storm is no longer a hurricane but is considered an extratropical cyclone. These storm systems gain their strength from temperature contrasts rather than warm water. A hurricane undergoing this transition brings tropical air into a cold environment, creating conditions ideal for a very powerful extratropical cyclone.
Why do the hurricanes weaken as they move over land?
Hurricanes gain their strength from the heat contained in the warm tropical waters over which they pass. The heat of the sea is passed to the air and water vapour forming the hurricane. This source of energy is lost on land and the storm dumps its water on the land as it cools.
Why do hurricanes rapidly decline on reaching land?
Hurricanes gain power from water so as it nears land, it loses some of its energy.
Why does a tornado lose strength when it passes over land?
They don't. Hurricanes lose strength as they pass over land. This is because their gain their energy from the moisture that evaporates off warm ocean water. When a hurricane strikes land it is cut off from this energy source.
Is it true that a hurricanes get their heat and energy from seawater?
Yes, the hurricanes gain from mass a.k.a the sea water. This "mass" makes them stronger and stronger.
Why are hurricanes more likely to strike NJ than OR?
Hurricanes gain their energy from warm ocean water. The water off the U.S. Atlantic coast is warmer than the water off the Pacific coast
How can hurricanes travel long distances?
They travel long distances by receiving their energy from the warm water, and as they travel over warm water, (such as the Gulf of Mexico) they gain speed and strength. They then travel over land with this energy, until it runs out, and the hurricane's power diminishes.
