How Do Hurricanes Form?

By jamie

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4. The Coriolis Effect

Have you ever wondered why hurricanes spin as they do? It is down to something known as the Coriolis effect. This is an effect that is caused by Earths rotation. In reality, the clouds and winds of a hurricane are actually travelling in a straight line, only they appear to be deflected because of the differences in speed caused by some parts of the world rotating faster than others.

If you were stood on the equator and you were able to throw a ball to a friend in Europe, it would appear to deflect right, despite travelling in a straight line, because your friend is travelling slower than you are.

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