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- Recently, two cyclones, namely super typhoon Hinnamnor & tropical storm Gardo started hovering around the central line between them, showcasing the Fujiwhara Effect.
About the Fujiwhara Effect
- Definition:
- The Fujiwhara Effect is any interaction between tropical storms formed around the same time in the same ocean region with their centers or eyes at a distance of less than 1,400 km, with intensity that could vary between a depression (wind speed under 63 km per hour) and a super typhoon (wind speed over 209 km per hour).
- Propounder:
- The Fujiwhara effect was identified by Sakuhei Fujiwhara, a Japanese meteorologist whose first paper recognising the Fujiwhara cases was published in 1921.
- Known examples:
- The first known instance of the effect was in 1964 in the western Pacific Ocean when typhoons Marie and Kathy merged.
- What it may lead to:
- The interaction could lead to changes in the track and intensity of either or both storm systems.
- In rare cases, the two systems could merge, especially when they are of similar size and intensity, to form a bigger storm.
- There are five different ways in which the Fujiwhara Effect can take place.
- The first is elastic interaction:
- In this only the direction of motion of the storms changes and is the most common case.
- These are also the cases that are difficult to assess and need closer examination.
- The second is partial straining:
- In this a part of the smaller storm is lost to the atmosphere.
- The third is complete straining out:
- In this the smaller storm is completely lost to the atmosphere. The straining out does not happen for storms of equal strength.
- The fourth type is partial merger:
- In this the smaller storm merges into the bigger one and
- The fifth is complete merger:
- It takes place between two storms of similar strength.
- During a merger interaction between two tropical cyclones the wind circulations come together and form a sort of whirlpool of winds in the atmosphere.
- The first is elastic interaction:
Source: DTE
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