Weather Tidbits: Tropical Ingredients

This edition of Weather Tidbits will be discussing the conditions needed for the development of tropical systems. Tropical systems, such as hurricanes, need an appropriate environment not only to strengthen but to maintain themselves as well. First, water temperatures where tropical systems develop must be very warm. Preferable water temperatures above 80 degrees because tropical systems gain energy via latent heat. Latent heat is the energy released when water vapor from warm ocean water condenses into liquid water.

Winds must also converge at the surface to from lower pressure at the surface and induce rising motion. When air rises, it expands and results in condensation of vapor to form clouds and precipitation. The surrounding environment must also feature abundant moisture for tropical systems to flourish. An intrusion of dry air can drastically inhibit further development. Lastly, the wind field aloft must be weak and uniform. Tropical systems and hurricanes are delicate, and a chaotic wind field with chancing speed and direction with height can halt continued development.