The East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States is impacted by an average of 2 hurricanes per year. The West Coast of the United States is not impacted by hurricanes. Why?
The East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States is impacted by an average of 2 hurricanes per year. The West Coast of the United States is not impacted by hurricanes. Why?
The water off the coast of California is very cold because it comes from Canada and runs along the west coast.
The winds that come from Mexico push the hurricanes that form near the equator out to sea.
The current around California is too fast for a hurricane to cross. The swift current breaks up the hurricane.
Earth's rotationcauses hurricanes that form in the warm waters near Mexico to curve out to sea.
The West Coast of the United States is not impacted by hurricanes because of a combination of factors. Firstly, the water off the coast of California is very cold compared to the warm waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes typically form. The cold water originates from Canada and runs along the west coast, creating unfavorable conditions for hurricane development.
Additionally, the wind patterns in the region also play a role. The winds that come from Mexico, often referred to as the trade winds, help to push hurricanes that form near the equator out to sea. These winds act as a barrier, preventing hurricanes from making landfall on the West Coast.
Another important factor is the strong and fast current that circulates around California, known as the California Current. This current is too swift for a hurricane to cross, as it would break up the storm system and prevent it from reaching the coast.
Lastly, the rotation of the Earth also influences the paths of hurricanes. The Earth's rotation causes hurricanes that form in the warm waters near Mexico to curve out to sea. This phenomenon, known as the Coriolis effect, steers hurricanes away from the West Coast and directs them towards the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States.
In summary, the combination of cold water, favorable wind patterns, strong currents, and the Earth's rotation all contribute to the West Coast of the United States being spared from hurricane impacts compared to the East Coast and Gulf Coast.