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How do convection currents and the Coriolis Effect impact the development and movement of a hurricane?

User AHJeebon
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Final answer:

Convection currents cause air to rise and create storms, while the Coriolis effect causes the deflected winds to rotate hurricanes counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development and movement of a hurricane are significantly influenced by convection currents and the Coriolis effect. Convection currents, created by warm water temperatures typically above 80 °F, cause air to rise rapidly, drawing in more air and creating strong wind currents and storm conditions. As this air rises, it cools and condenses, resulting in heavy rains and a downdraft of cooler air. The Coriolis force, on the other hand, is due to the Earth's rotation and causes the deflection of moving air, which contributes to the counterclockwise (in the Northern Hemisphere) or clockwise (in the Southern Hemisphere) rotation of hurricanes. Without the Coriolis, air would flow directly into low-pressure zones, but its presence causes the winds to be deflected, creating the spiral motion characteristic of tropical cyclones.

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