Hurricanes and the Coriolis effect?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Coriolis effect and its influence on hurricanes, particularly in relation to their behavior when crossing the equator. Participants explore whether hurricanes can change categories after crossing the equator and the implications of the Coriolis effect on water flow direction near the equator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the behavior of hurricanes in relation to the Coriolis effect when crossing the equator.
  • One participant questions whether any hurricanes or tropical cyclones have ever crossed the equator.
  • Another participant suggests there may be a gradual reversal of water flow direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) as one approaches the equator, which could be resisted by the angular momentum of hurricanes.
  • It is proposed that hurricanes are chiral, meaning their characteristics are amplified in one hemisphere and attenuated in the other, potentially preventing them from crossing the equatorial zone.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the specific behavior of hurricanes in relation to the Coriolis effect and whether they can cross the equator. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of the Coriolis effect on hurricane dynamics.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the existence of hurricanes that have crossed the equator and the specific mechanisms by which the Coriolis effect influences hurricane behavior.

ben_orin
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Do hurricanes experience the Coriolis effect going down or up category after crossing the equator? The Coriolis effect is what makes water spin counter clockwise/clockwise down a drain on either side of the equator.
Is this the correct sub forum for this post?
 
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Welcome to PF.
ben_orin said:
Do hurricanes experience the Coriolis effect going down category after crossing the equator?
Which hurricane, or tropical cyclone, has ever crossed the equator?
 
Thanks! I just lost the key to my old acct, be back in a day on it when Greg gets to it. Sorry, kinda new to Earth Science. Is there a gradual reversal of the direction of water flow (cw/ccw) while approaching the equator due to the Coriolis effect that the angular momentum of the hurricane or tropical cyclone resists, keeping it from crossing over?
 
You're an Engineer? Sweet! What kind? Congrats on the award! @Baluncore
 
ben_orin said:
Is there a gradual reversal of the direction of water flow (cw/ccw) while approaching the equator that the angular momentum of the hurricane or tropical cyclone resists keeping it from crossing over?
Yes.
Hurricanes are chiral. If their hand is amplified in one hemisphere, they will be attenuated in the other. For that reason, they cannot cross the equatorial zone.

ben_orin said:
You're an Engineer? Sweet! What kind?
The old human kind.
 
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Baluncore said:
The old human kind.
My favorite kind!!
 

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