The tropical cyclone Cristobal recently making headlines has originated in the southern Gulf of Mexico. This phenomenon is an inherent part of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, a yearly occurrence where storms form primarily across the Atlantic ocean. There are a series of factors that contribute to the creation of these treacherous, unpredictable cyclones.
Understanding the Atlantic Hurricane Season
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is a specific time of the year, from June 1st to November 30th, when hurricanes are known to develop in the Atlantic Ocean. The season notably peaks from late August through September. Generally, tropical cyclone activities surge in late summer worldwide due to the stark temperature differences and optimal sea surface temperatures.
The Role of the Gulf of Mexico in Cyclone Formation
The southwestern Gulf of Mexico experiences high sea surface temperatures which support the strengthening of the system. In addition to beneficial temperatures, low wind shear – or increase in wind speed with atmospheric height – allows for further intensification of the storm after its initial interaction with Mexico.
The Gulf of Mexico, a basin of the Atlantic Ocean enclosed almost entirely by North America, plays an essential role in these cyclonic events.
Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones represent potent storms originating over oceans in tropical regions and gradually move toward coastal areas causing widespread destruction due to violent winds, torrential rainfalls, and storm surges. They consist of irregular wind movements involving closed air circulation around a low pressure center.
Conditions Favouring Tropical Cyclone Formation
Some key conditions conducive to the formation of tropical cyclones include large sea surfaces with temperatures above 27°C, which provide moisture to fuel the storm. Additionally, the presence of the Coriolis force, which increases with latitude, significantly aids storm creation above the 5° latitude.
While the Coriolis force is zero at the equator, about 65% of cyclonic activity occurs between the 10° and 20° latitude. Other factors are the existence of a weak low-pressure area and high humidity conditions, particularly over equatorial doldrums located on the western edges of oceans.
Understanding the Doldrums
Also known as the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the doldrums is a belt circling the Earth approximately five degrees north and south of the equator. Here, the northern hemisphere’s trade winds blow to the southwest and clash with the southern hemisphere’s northeast trade winds. This region is characterized by continuous replacement of saturated air due to the east-west movement of ocean currents, creating ideal conditions for cyclone formation.
With global changes in climate patterns, understanding these meteorological phenomena and their contributing factors is crucial in predicting, preparing for, and mitigating potential devastation caused by violent weather events such as tropical cyclones like Cristobal.