Hurricanes, tornadoes and sea level rise

Update: see @ bottom example of a Cyclone (Wikipedia) as they're called in the So. Hemisphere.

 Further to our explorations in AI here and to the previous post here, this is a 'conversation' with Copilot, Microsoft Bing's AI extension. Conversation means that you can daisy-chain questions without repeating them, either to extend or to zero in:

Q: Difference between hurricane and tornadoe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado

A: Hurricanes and tornadoes are both powerful weather phenomena, but they have some key differences:

Formation and Location

- Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters, typically near the equator. They require a pre-existing weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture, and relatively light winds¹.

- Tornadoes form over land, usually from severe thunderstorms. They often occur in areas with high wind shear, where there is a significant change in wind speed and direction with height².

Size and Duration

- Hurricanes are much larger, with diameters ranging from 100 to 2,000 kilometers (up to 1,000 miles). They can last from several days to a few weeks².

- Tornadoes are smaller, typically less than 2 miles wide, and usually last only a few minutes to a couple of hours².

Wind Speed

- Hurricanes generally have wind speeds less than 180 mph².

- Tornadoes can have wind speeds up to 300 mph, making them more intense in terms of wind speed over a smaller area².

Impact and Damage

- Hurricanes cause widespread damage due to their size and the heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding they bring¹.

- Tornadoes cause localized damage along their narrow path, but the destruction can be severe due to their high wind speeds².

Both hurricanes and tornadoes are dangerous and can cause significant damage, but understanding their differences can help in preparing for and responding to these natural disasters.

Is there anything specific you would like to know more about regarding hurricanes or tornadoes?

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 12/10/2024

(1) What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane? https://gpm.nasa.gov/resources/faq/what-difference-between-tornado-and-hurricane

(2) Hurricane vs Tornado – The Similarities and Differences. https://sciencenotes.org/hurricane-vs-tornado-the-similarities-and-differences/

(3) Cyclone vs. Typhoon vs. Hurricane: Are They All The Same? https://www.dictionary.com/e/typhoons-hurricanes-cyclones/

(4) Hurricane vs. Tornado: What's the Difference? https://www.difference.wiki/hurricane-vs-tornado/

(5) What's the difference between a hurricane and a tornado? - NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/what-s-difference-between-hurricane-tornado-ncna1011676

(6) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/tornado-struck-on-agricultural-fields-at-sunset-royalty-free-image/671793326

Q: Is there a reletionship between them

A: Yes, there is a relationship between hurricanes and tornadoes, although they are distinct phenomena. Here are some key points:

Tornadoes Within Hurricanes

- Tornadoes can form within hurricanes. When a hurricane makes landfall, the interaction with the land can create conditions favorable for tornado formation, especially in the outer rainbands of the hurricane².

Shared Atmospheric Conditions

 Both hurricanes and tornadoes are driven by **convective energy**, which involves the rising of warm, moist air². This shared mechanism means that both types of storms can occur under similar atmospheric conditions, although the specifics differ.

Differences in Formation and Behavior

- Hurricanes require warm ocean waters and form over these waters, while tornadoes typically form over land from severe thunderstorms².

- Hurricanes are large-scale systems that can last for days or weeks, whereas tornadoes are much smaller and usually last for minutes to a few hours².

Impact of Wind Shear

- Wind shear plays a crucial role in the formation of both hurricanes and tornadoes. However, hurricanes thrive in environments with low vertical wind shear, while tornadoes often form in areas with high wind shear⁴.

Understanding these relationships helps meteorologists predict and prepare for the potential impacts of these powerful storms. If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 12/10/2024

(1) Hurricane vs Tornado – The Similarities and Differences. https://sciencenotes.org/hurricane-vs-tornado-the-similarities-and-differences/

(2) Hurricanes: Science and Society: Tornadoes. https://www.hurricanescience.org/society/impacts/tornadoes/

(3) Are hurricanes like giant tornadoes? Why their damage is so different. https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/science/explainers/tornadoes-versus-hurricanes-why-their-damage-is-so-different

(4) Tornado Vs. Hurricane: What’s The Difference? - Techiescientist. https://techiescientist.com/tornado-vs-hurricane/

(5) How do tornadoes and hurricanes compare? - University of Miami. https://news.miami.edu/stories/2019/03/how-do-tornadoes-and-hurricanes-compare.html

Q: Is there a relationship with Sea Level Rise?

A: Yes, there is a relationship between sea level rise and hurricanes, and to a lesser extent, tornadoes. Here are some key points:

Hurricanes and Sea Level Rise

- Increased Coastal Flooding: As sea levels rise, the impact of storm surges from hurricanes becomes more severe. Higher sea levels mean that storm surges can push further inland, causing more extensive flooding¹⁴.

- Intensified Storms: Warmer sea surface temperatures, which contribute to sea level rise, can also lead to more intense hurricanes. These warmer waters provide more energy for hurricanes, potentially increasing their intensity and the amount of rainfall they produce³.

Tornadoes and Sea Level Rise

- Indirect Relationship: While sea level rise does not directly cause tornadoes, the conditions that lead to more intense hurricanes (such as warmer sea surface temperatures) can also create environments conducive to tornado formation within hurricanes⁵.

Overall Impact

- Increased Risk: The combination of higher sea levels and more intense storms means that coastal areas are at greater risk of severe weather events. This can lead to more significant damage and higher costs for recovery and rebuilding¹⁴.

Understanding these relationships helps in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of these powerful storms. If you have more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 12/10/2024

(1) Global Warming and Hurricanes - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. https://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/global-warming-and-hurricanes/

(2) Sea Level Rise - MIT Climate Portal. https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/sea-level-rise

(3) A Force of Nature: Hurricanes in a Changing Climate. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/climate-change/a-force-of-nature-hurricanes-in-a-changing-climate/

(4) Hurricane Milton: Why do tornadoes form within hurricanes? - The Hill. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4927302-hurricane-milton-tornadoes-climate-change/

(5) Chapter 11: Weather and Climate Extreme Events in a Changing Climate - IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-11/

I experienced a Cyclone

click to enlarge