Hurricane Patricia - October 22-24, 2015

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Hurricane Patricia, particularly its rapid intensification and the factors contributing to its strength. Participants explore meteorological phenomena, comparisons with other hurricanes, and the potential influence of global warming and El Niño.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that warm water and high moisture levels contributed to Patricia's explosive intensification, with a lack of upper-level shear allowing for rapid strengthening.
  • Comparisons are made between Patricia and Hurricane Katrina, questioning how to define "strongest" or "most powerful" based on wind speed and eye diameter.
  • Global warming is mentioned as a potential factor influencing hurricane intensity, though some participants caution against attributing Patricia's strength solely to it.
  • El Niño is discussed as a significant factor in the development of hurricanes, with participants agreeing on its implication in Patricia's formation.
  • It is noted that Patricia weakened quickly after making landfall, leading to less damage than initially anticipated, although flooding and landslides remained concerns in certain areas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the causes of Patricia's intensity, with some agreeing on the role of El Niño while others debate the implications of global warming. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the definitions of hurricane strength.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific contributions of different meteorological factors to Patricia's intensity and the implications of climate change on hurricane behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in meteorology, climate science, and the dynamics of severe weather phenomena may find this discussion relevant.

Astronuc
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Why did Hurricane Patricia become a monster so quickly?
http://news.yahoo.com/why-did-hurricane-patricia-become-monster-quickly-202419311.html

Plenty of warm water provided the energy what meteorologists call explosive intensification. The air was much moister than usual, adding yet more fuel. And at the same time, upper-level crosswinds — called shear — that restrain a hurricane from strengthening were missing for much of Thursday, meteorologists said.

"I was really astounded," said MIT meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel. "It was over the juiciest part of the eastern Pacific."

El Nino's fingerprints are all over this, meteorologists agreed. And while it fits perfectly into climate scientists' theories of what a warming world will be like, they say global warming can't quite be blamed — yet.

Patricia slams Mexico Pacific Coast as Category 5 hurricane
http://news.yahoo.com/mexicos-pacific-coast-braces-monster-hurricane-patricia-040315825.html
 
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Patricia at 200 mph and 9 mile diameter eye vs. Katrina at 175 mph and 37 mile diameter eye...which really is the "strongest" or "most powerful"??
 
Global warming is a popular suspect.
 
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-34625357
Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are all part of the same weather phenomenon but different names are used depending on where the storms are formed. Hurricanes form east of the International Date Line, while typhoons and cyclones form to the west.

The storm apparently weakened rapidly as it moved over the coastline, so the damage was not as great as was thought. On the other hand, some areas are at risk for flooding and landslides.

El Niño is certainly implicated.