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Hurricanes are powerful storms that can cause widespread destruction. But why do some regions of the world seem more prone to these weather events than others? The United States, especially the East Coast, is one of the regions most affected by hurricanes. European countries, on the other hand, remain relatively sheltered.
So, what is behind this phenomenon?
Click through this gallery to explore the factors that dictate where these storms strike and what the future holds for hurricane activity in a changing climate.
Hurricanes cause devastating consequences across the globe, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Homes are destroyed, lives are lost, and communities are devastated. Sadly, the United States has been one of the hardest-hit countries, facing the brunt of these powerful storms.
The National Risk Index assigns a Hurricane Risk Score and Rating to each community, assessing its vulnerability compared to the rest of the United States.
The entire state of Florida is categorized as "Very High Risk," while the coastal areas from Texas up to New Jersey range from "Very High" to "Relatively High."
Florida, however, has the most extensive history of hurricane incidents. Every part of its coastline has experienced at least one hurricane since 1850.
In 1900, a Category 4 storm traveling at 145 mph (233 km/h) winds remains the deadliest hurricane in US history. It devastated the island city of Galveston, Texas, claiming between 6,000-12,000 lives. The storm surge overwhelmed the island, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving the city in ruins.
The powerful Category 3 storm made landfall in Florida in October 2024. Although it weakened to a Category 1 as it crossed the state, it still caused significant damage and tragically resulted in over 20 deaths, according to CBS News. Areas like Tampa and St. Petersburg were particularly hard-hit.
Europe, on the other hand, has remained largely unscathed by direct hurricane strikes for over 50 years, despite experiencing severe storms. This begs the question: Why are hurricanes so rare in Europe? Is this correlated with how the US West Coast is also safeguarded?
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when a cluster of thunderstorms intensifies. Warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses, releasing heat that fuels the storm. This process creates a low-pressure center, drawing in more air and organizing the storm's rotation.
Hurricanes often brew off the coast of West Africa, where a potent combination of factors sets the stage for their explosive growth. Warm waters near the Equator and high humidity create an environment ripe for storms, with columns of rapidly rising, rotating air fueling their development.
The more warm, humid air a tropical storm absorbs, the stronger it becomes. It's like feeding a fire – more fuel means a bigger blaze. This explains why tropical storms can rapidly intensify into powerful hurricanes as they traverse the Atlantic Ocean, fueled by abundant warm water and moisture.
The trade winds, driven by Earth's rotation, typically propel hurricanes westward. This prevailing wind pattern explains why Europe and the West Coast of the United States rarely experience direct hurricane impacts.
For a hurricane to veer towards Europe, it must undergo a significant northward shift, traveling roughly 200 miles (321 kilometers) further north than its typical path. Once a storm system reaches 30 degrees north latitude, it meets the powerful subtropical jet stream.
As the storm ventures further north, it encounters cooler waters, typically 41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 10 degrees Celsius) colder. This cooler water significantly reduces the storm's energy supply.
However, some hurricanes do veer eastward, eventually reaching Europe as "ex-hurricanes." They undergo a significant transformation during this journey, losing their main characteristics and evolving into different, weaker, types of storms.
Post-tropical cyclones (PTCs) are a rare occurrence. On average, only about two PTCs make landfall in Europe each year, with some years experiencing none at all, while others may see more than five.
Since the year 2000, remnants of approximately 30 hurricanes have made their way to Europe. In stark contrast, Florida has experienced a significantly higher number of direct hurricane strikes, with 79 hurricanes impacting the state during the same period.
Although these storms lose their hurricane status, they still retain significant power upon landfall.
Most ex-hurricanes interact with other cyclones and weather fronts in the region, leading to periods of high winds and heavy rainfall, primarily impacting Ireland and Great Britain.
Typical impacts include widespread power outages, significant flooding, and occasional fatal casualties.
In August 2014, the remnants of Hurricane Bertha swept across Britain and parts of Ireland, bringing with it high winds and intense rain. This post-tropical cyclone reached peak wind speeds of up to 73 mph (117 km/h), causing widespread disruption.
The 2017 landfall of Hurricane Ophelia's remnants in Ireland and Scotland resulted in significant power outages, affecting approximately 50,000 households in Northern Ireland alone.
The storm tragically resulted in three fatalities and widespread disruption, with downed trees blocking numerous roads and highways. This was the most severe storm to impact Ireland in the past 50 years.
As global temperatures rise, the North Atlantic Ocean is experiencing a significant warming trend. This increase in sea surface temperatures could potentially fuel a rise in the number of hurricane-force storms reaching the US West Coast and Europe.
Some experts predict a significant increase in powerful storms impacting Europe by the end of the 21st century. While Europe currently experiences an average of two such storms per year during hurricane season, these projections suggest a dramatic rise to an average of 13 storms annually.
Dr. Reinhard Schiemann, an Associate Professor at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), acknowledges the probability of global warming altering the frequency or intensity of PTCs impacting Europe. However, he emphasizes that currently, providing a definitive answer remains elusive.
Climate experts also raised concerns that the anticipated La Niña climate phenomenon could significantly impact the 2025 hurricane season.
La Niña typically weakens wind shear in the Atlantic, creating a more favorable environment for hurricane formation and strengthening. This reduction in wind shear can lead to increased hurricane activity, as seen in the active 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Sources: (Business Insider) (National Weather Service) (FEMA National Risk Index) (University of Reading)
Why hurricanes rarely hit Europe and the US West Coast
Understanding global hurricane patterns
LIFESTYLE Natural disaster
Hurricanes are powerful storms that can cause widespread destruction. But why do some regions of the world seem more prone to these weather events than others? The United States, especially the East Coast, is one of the regions most affected by hurricanes. European countries, on the other hand, remain relatively sheltered.
So, what is behind this phenomenon?
Click through this gallery to explore the factors that dictate where these storms strike and what the future holds for hurricane activity in a changing climate.