1) Please describe the typical path(s) for hurricanes. Is this part of the pattern of convection?

The typical path of a hurricane is closely related to the pattern of convection in the atmosphere. Convection refers to the vertical movement of warm air and the formation of thunderstorms, which are the building blocks of hurricanes. Understanding the basic principles of convection can help explain why hurricanes follow certain paths.

The primary driver of hurricane movement is the flow of the atmosphere, which is influenced by various factors such as the Earth's rotation, large-scale weather patterns, and interactions with land masses and other weather systems. While the actual path of each hurricane is unique, there are a few common patterns that hurricanes tend to follow:

1. Easterly Trade Wind Belt: Hurricanes often initially form within the tropical region near the equator, where easterly trade winds prevail. These winds blow from east to west, causing developing storms to move generally in this direction.

2. Coriolis Effect: As hurricanes gain strength and intensify, the Coriolis effect comes into play. The Earth's rotation causes the flow of air around the hurricane to pivot counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. This effect gradually influences the storm's trajectory, causing it to turn away from the equator.

3. High-Pressure Systems: Hurricanes are typically steered around by large-scale weather systems, particularly high-pressure systems. These systems can act as steering mechanisms, redirecting hurricanes along certain paths. Hurricanes generally tend to move around the periphery of high-pressure systems, following a semi-circular or curving path.

4. Mid-Latitude Westerlies: As hurricanes move away from the tropical region, they often encounter the mid-latitude westerlies. These prevailing winds blow from west to east and can influence the hurricane's path, potentially causing it to turn towards higher latitudes.

5. Interaction with Land: When hurricanes approach land, their interaction with the surface can significantly alter their path. Landmasses can cause hurricanes to weaken or change direction due to factors like friction, topography, and the displacement of warm, moist air.

It's important to note that the actual paths of hurricanes can deviate from these general patterns due to the complex and dynamic nature of the atmosphere. Therefore, forecasting their exact tracks remains a challenging task for meteorologists.