This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Published on September 4, 2019, a date that highlights the importance of understanding hurricanes like Dorian.
Unpredictable Paths and Large-Scale Winds ¶
Hurricane Dorian's path was influenced by the slow speed at which it moved, allowing it to be pushed erratically by large-scale winds in the atmosphere. These winds are controlled by fluctuations in the global circulation of the atmosphere, including trade winds, jet streams, and high- and low-pressure systems.
The interaction between Dorian and these large-scale winds played a significant role in its unpredictable path. If the storm had passed closer to mountains, such as those in Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, its path could have been altered.
Why the US East Coast Gets Hit ¶
One of the primary reasons the US East Coast is more prone to hurricanes is the warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean. This warmth allows hurricanes to form and maintain their strength. In contrast, the Pacific Ocean has cooler sea surface temperatures, which makes it less conducive to hurricane formation.
Eastern Pacific hurricanes tend to be steered away from land due to the prevailing low-level winds in the tropics. This is why Atlantic hurricanes rarely hit western Africa, despite forming near the region. While some eastern Pacific storms can recurve and reach land in North America, they generally weaken before doing so.
