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Moist air is air that contains a large amount of water vapor. It takes a lot of energy to turn water into water vapor, and the same amount of energy gets released when it condenses back into a liquid. It is this energy released by condensation that powers thunderstorms and hurricanes. So in simple terms, moist air holds a lot of latent energy to power storms.
Dry air, by contrast holds much less energy, or at least much less that can go in to powering weather systems.
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Why do tornadoes happen at sea?
Tornadoes can form over water when conditions are right, such as when warm, moist air near the surface interacts with cooler air above. These conditions can create the necessary rotation for a tornado to develop, even over the sea. These tornadoes are known as waterspouts.
Why are hurricanes most common in the warm summer months?
Hurricanes are powered by warm, moist air from tropical water. The moisture that hurricanes need is generally most abundant in the summer.
Do tornadoes and hurricanes need low air pressure?
Yes, both tornadoes and hurricanes require low air pressure to form and intensify. In tornadoes, the rapidly rotating column of air is driven by the pressure difference caused by the surrounding low pressure. Hurricanes form around a low-pressure center, with the pressure gradient helping to enhance the storm's winds and intensity.
What atmospheric conditions are necessary for both thunderstorms and hurricanes?
Both thunderstorms and hurricanes require warm, moist air to provide the energy for their formation. Thunderstorms also require unstable air to develop rapidly rising air currents, while hurricanes need warm ocean waters to fuel their strength and sustain their structure. Additionally, favorable wind patterns are essential for both systems to form and intensify.
Will hurricanes form without gravity?
No, hurricanes require the Earth's rotation and gravity to form. Gravity helps to create the low-pressure systems needed for hurricanes to develop, while the Earth's rotation influences their direction and spin. Without gravity, the necessary conditions for hurricanes to form would not exist.
Do tornadoes and hurricanes form over gulf coast waters?
Generally not. Hurricanes usually form far out at sea, and usually don't form in coastal waters as it can limit the supply of moisture that they need. Although hurricanes can form in the Gulf of Mexico it is more common for them to form elsewhere in the Atlantic and then move into the Gulf. Tornadoes don't need to form in coastal areas. In fact they can form almost anywhere. In the United States storm systems pull warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. This air fuels the storms that spawn tornadoes, but this air can be transported hundreds of miles away from the Gulf before it these thunderstorms develop.
Why do tornadoes happen at sea?
Tornadoes can form over water when conditions are right, such as when warm, moist air near the surface interacts with cooler air above. These conditions can create the necessary rotation for a tornado to develop, even over the sea. These tornadoes are known as waterspouts.
What are some similarities between tornado's and hurricanes?
All are potentially dangerous types of storm that can produce strong winds and derive their energy from warm, moist air. It should be noted that tornadoes need thunderstorms in order to form.
Why are tornadoes and hurricanes rare in Oregon?
There is a cold ocean current off the coast of Oregon that tends to stabilize the atmosphere. Tornadoes need strong thunderstorms to form. Such storms form best when there is a layer of warm, moist, unstable air in the lower atmosphere. The cold water makes it difficult for such a pattern to arise. Hurricanes have a similar need, only, much greater. The amount of moisture that a hurricane needs can only be found over very warm ocean water. Any hurricane heading in the direction of Oregon would quickly degenerate over the cold water, making it virtually impossible for the state to get a hurricane.
What conditions are required for a hurricane to form and develop?
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters with temperatures above 80F. They also need moist air, low wind shear, and a distance of at least 300 miles from the equator to develop.
What type of air does a tornado need in order to develop?
Generally tornadoes form near a boundary between warm, moist air and cool, dry air. The warm, moist air mass is more important as it provide the energy that fuels the storm.
Why are hurricanes most common in the warm summer months?
Hurricanes are powered by warm, moist air from tropical water. The moisture that hurricanes need is generally most abundant in the summer.
Do tornadoes and hurricanes need low air pressure?
Yes, both tornadoes and hurricanes require low air pressure to form and intensify. In tornadoes, the rapidly rotating column of air is driven by the pressure difference caused by the surrounding low pressure. Hurricanes form around a low-pressure center, with the pressure gradient helping to enhance the storm's winds and intensity.
How does rising heat affect tornadoes?
In the simplest terms, rising masses of warm, moist air trigger thunderstorms. Tornadoes need thunderstorms to form.
What atmospheric conditions are necessary for both thunderstorms and hurricanes?
Both thunderstorms and hurricanes require warm, moist air to provide the energy for their formation. Thunderstorms also require unstable air to develop rapidly rising air currents, while hurricanes need warm ocean waters to fuel their strength and sustain their structure. Additionally, favorable wind patterns are essential for both systems to form and intensify.
Why are tornadoes and hurricanes studied by meteorologists?
By studying tornadoes and hurricanes we can gain a better understanding of them and improve out ability to predict them. This allows for better warnings for people that need them, which can save lives. There is also the matter of simple human curiosity of how the universe works.
What kind of water does a hurricane need to keep its strength?
Hurricanes needs warm water below them to keep their strength. Moist warm air rising from the sea is what builds hurricanes.
