What causes hurricanes to increase in strength? Cool water temperature. Slower wind speeds. Lower central air pressure. Moving on to land.
1. Warm sea surface temperatures: Hurricanes draw their energy from warm ocean waters, typically around 80°F (26.5°C) or higher. Warmer waters provide more moisture and heat energy, fueling the storm and allowing it to strengthen.
2. Low wind shear: Wind shear refers to the change in wind speed and direction with height. High wind shear can disrupt the vertical structure of a hurricane and inhibit its development. Low wind shear allows the storm to organize and intensify more easily.
3. Moisture in the atmosphere: Moisture in the atmosphere provides additional fuel for hurricanes to strengthen. When there is ample moisture available, it can condense into clouds and rain, releasing latent heat energy that further powers the storm.
4. Coriolis effect: The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving air or water caused by the rotation of the Earth. This effect helps to organize the circulation patterns within a hurricane, contributing to its strength and structure.
5. Upper-level divergence: In the upper levels of the atmosphere, air that flows away from the storm helps to draw out air from the center, allowing the storm to strengthen and develop a well-defined circulation.
Overall, a combination of warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, moisture, the Coriolis effect, and upper-level divergence all play a role in causing hurricanes to increase in strength.