Ouragan Cause Courses

An ouragan, sometimes referred to as a hurricane, is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by strong thunderstorms and spiraling bands of wind that are driven by pressure differences between a system’s center and outer edge. The cause of hurricanes is an intricate combination of factors that drive their formation and growth. At the core of a hurricane is a warm, moist tropical atmosphere. Sunlight is used to heat the seawater which causes the air above it to warm and become saturated. This warm air rises due to its lower density and forms a low-pressure area. The Earth's rotation then causes the air to rotate around this low pressure in an anticlockwise direction in the northern hemisphere, creating a tropical depression. The warm, moist atmosphere combined with high wind speeds fuels further upward motion, which intensifies the thunderstorms that make up a hurricane. The air rotates faster, driving itself further into the cyclonic shape. As the atmosphere’s energy increases, its energy produces more lightning and releases more moisture into the environment, further strengthening the hurricane. Wind shear, the changing of wind speed or direction with height, can cause hurricanes to weaken and disrupt their structure, decreasing the chance of them intensifying. Additionally, sea surface temperatures also play a crucial role, as hurricanes draw energy from the warm water. Sea surface temperatures that are warmer than 26.5°C, or higher than 30°C, will provide enough energy to fuel a hurricane. In conclusion, ouragans are caused by a combination of warm, moist conditions, a low-pressure system, and high wind speeds. The Earth’s rotation causes the system to rotate, while changes in wind speed, direction and sea surface temperatures can affect the severity of the hurricane.