In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Kenya’s Meteorological Department predicts that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya’s impact will be minimal, thanks to its proximity to the equator, expecting only peripheral effects as the cyclone weakens.
- Questions arise over the contradiction between the current cyclone threat and a past statement from the department, with explanations centering on the Coriolis effect and its role in cyclone behavior near the equator.
Kenya may see only peripheral effects of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, thanks to its proximity to the equator, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.
While the cyclone is expected to impact the country, it is projected to weaken into a depression as it approaches.
The department clarified its stance in response to inquiries prompted by a tweet from five years ago, which asserted that cyclones couldn’t reach such close proximity to the equator.
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As Cyclone Hidaya looms over the Kenyan coast, questions arose regarding the contradiction between the current situation and the 2019 tweet from the Meteorological Department.
In 2019, fears emerged over Tropical Cyclone Kenneth, but the department reassured the public that cyclones couldn’t reach the equator, projecting the effects to be felt in other regions.
However, with Cyclone Hidaya prompting government warnings and beach activity bans, concerns mounted over the shift in cyclone behavior.
The Meteorological Department reiterated that while cyclones typically do not cross the equator due to the Coriolis effect, Cyclone Hidaya’s impact would likely be felt on the fringes, with landfall projected just around or slightly below 5°S from the equator.
The Coriolis effect, caused by Earth’s rotation, dictates the paths of cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons, preventing them from crossing the equator.
This phenomenon describes the deflection of objects traveling long distances around the Earth.
Earth’s rotation speed is faster at the equator than at the poles, influencing the movement of weather patterns.
Professor Gary Barnes, an expert in meteorology, explains that while some cyclones in the Indian Ocean may approach the equator, the Coriolis effect, also known as the Beta effect, typically redirects them away.
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This effect makes it challenging for cyclones to successfully cross the equator due to the variation in Coriolis force with latitude.