Have you ever wondered why meteorologists say that the eastern side of a hurricane is the most dangerous? Or call it the “dirty side” of the storm?
Typically, the right frontal quadrant of a storm in the Northern Hemisphere carries higher winds, waves and storm surge, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.
If you look at a satellite image of Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic Ocean. The right front quadrant, basically from 1 to 3 o’clock on our imaginary clock, will have the strongest winds and worst storm surges. The US need not worry about the diary portion of Hurricane Franklin as it continues to move northeast in the Atlantic Ocean.
Another image below from Hurricane Nicole in 2022 shows the right side of the storm.
Every low pressure or cyclone circulates internally in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere, including hurricanes, nor’easters and most tornadoes.
How the right front quadrant generates faster wind speeds
The steering current, driven by atmospheric air flow in the upper levels, adds to the maximum sustained wind strength in that quadrant. For example, if a hurricane’s steering current is moving at 30 mph and the hurricane’s sustained winds are 80 to 100 mph, the combination results in wind speeds of 130 to 150 mph at 3 o’clock on the clock face.
Researchers have found that the right front of the hurricane brings the strongest winds and worst storm conditions. FOX Weather
To the left of the hurricane (9 o’clock on our imaginary clock face), maximum sustained winds flow against the steering current. So, in the example above, a 30 mph steering current would reduce the speed of a 100 mph hurricane to 70 mph, according to UCAR. The National Hurricane Center takes this into account when issuing official wind estimates.
Storm surge is also greatest to the east of the hurricane
Faster winds on the “right side” of an energetic hurricane produce higher waves, slightly higher gusts and storm surge. The National Hurricane Center writes that the storm surge triggered by the storm’s low pressure (atmosphere that exerts less pressure on the surface of the water) is minimal – about 5% – compared to the amount of water forced ashore by the hurricane’s strong winds.
When the storm surge triggered by being in the right quadrant of the storm aligns with a waterway such as a bay or river, the effects can be more dangerous.
Hurricane winds could reach up to at least 150 miles per hour, experts say. Andrew West/The News-Press/USA TODAY NETWORK/Sipa USA
But being on the other side of the storm can have the opposite effect. In 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall on Marco Island, Florida, putting Tampa Bay on the left side of the storm.
The 115 mph winds from the northeast are offshore and are actually forcing water out of Tampa Bay. The video shows exposed sea walls and birds walking on what, just hours before, was underwater on foot.
Tornadoes
Faster winds on the “right side” of a hurricane can cause higher waves, gusts and lead to dangerous conditions.Getty Images
The majority of tornadoes are embedded in thunderstorms within the band of hurricane rain and eyewalls form in the front right quadrant as well, according to the National Weather Service. Twisters produced by tropical systems are generally weak and short-lived but can still cause damage.
The NWS looked at tornadoes formed by tropical systems in central South Carolina and eastern Georgia from 1950 to 2013. Their research showed that most tornadoes were from tropical storms and hurricanes that made landfall in the Gulf of Mexico and traveled north-northeast.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
