Science desk
< August 25	<< Jul \| August \| Sep >>	August 27 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Science Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

August 26[edit]

Did Hurricane Laura strengthen so rapidly because of Hurricane Marco (2020)?[edit]

I notice that Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Marco are making landfall in roughly the same place. Is the record-shattering rapid intensification of Hurricane Laura partially due to the tropical depression left in Hurrricane Marco's wake? Yanping Nora Soong (talk) 18:27, 26 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Hurricanes usually strengthen over warmer waters. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 22:19, 26 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sick upper level outflow in all directions, temperate latitude low-pressure trough just the right distance to suck the sucked air good without shearing storm, positive feedback loop with the excellent outward airflow strengthening inflow, upper level anticyclone, low shear, near max sea temp for this early in 21st century and a humid part of the ocean, high ocean heat content in calories per square centimeter which reduces importance of agitation mixing the upper water layers, mid-level air not too dry and iffy relative humidities didn't get sucked too far in anyway before moistening I guess, moderate anthropogenic global warming boost. And presumably the high latitude for this ocean heat amount increases Coriolis effect which decreases inflow spiral directness which lowers the partial vacuum pressure. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 04:39, 27 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

It was suggested that Marco devolving into tropical depression so quickly actually helped Laura strengthen, because Marco didn't suck as much heat out of the Gulf as it could've had. Hurricanes are after all heat engines. 78.1.146.196 (talk) 19:42, 27 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]