Eli5: Why do hurricanes get stronger in warm water? And are the sea based or sky based? (Cloud)
In: 5
The warmth of water is the power that fuels hurricanes.
Start with warm water and cool air. The water transfers heat to the adjacent air; the now-relatively-warm air rises; and other cool air from nearby rushes in to take its place. So now the water is cooler, some air is warmer, and some air is *moving*.
So it’s not just that warm water makes the hurricane stronger: it’s what created the hurricane in the first place. The moment the water is no longer significantly warmer than the inrushing air, the hurricane will act like an electric fan that’s been unplugged, gradually spinning to a stop.
Latest Answers