Why in the News?
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, USA which caused heavy rain, flooding and strong winds resulting in significant damage and loss of lives.
Hurricane Milton: Origin and Causes
- Hurricane Milton was a powerful storm that made landfall in Florida near Siesta Key, causing widespread damage.
- It was a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of 285 km/h, making it one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
- It originated in the Gulf of Mexico, an area connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
Why it was an unusual storm?
- Milton went from a Category 1 storm to a Category 5 storm in just 12 hours.
- Usually, hurricanes intensify at a slower pace, but Milton’s wind speeds increased by 145 km/h in one day, which is very rare.
- Sea-surface temperatures of 31°C were much higher than the 26°C needed for hurricane formation.
- This excess heat allowed Milton to intensify quickly.
- Most hurricanes follow a westward path, but Milton moved eastward and made landfall on the western coast of Florida.
- According to scientists, very few hurricanes have taken this path before.
- Wind shear is a change in wind speed and direction that can weaken hurricanes.
- In Milton’s case, there was almost no wind shear, allowing the storm to grow stronger without interference.
PYQ:[2020] Consider the following statements: 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only |
