Sunday, October 21, 2012

Fujiwhara Effect


I learned that Fujiwhara effect or Fujiwara interaction, named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other. When the cyclones approach each other, their centers will begin orbiting cyclonically about a point between the two systems due to their cyclonic wind circulations. The two vortices will be attracted to each other, and eventually spiral into the center point and merge. When the two vortices are of unequal size, the larger vortex will tend to dominate the interaction, and the smaller vortex will orbit around it. The effect is often mentioned in relation to the motion of tropical cyclones, although the final merging of the two storms is uncommon. The effect becomes pronounced in these storms when they approach within about 1,500 km (900 mi) of each other and are at tropical storm strength or stronger. The effect is named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, the Japanese meteorologist who initially described it in a 1921 paper about the motion of vortices in water. I want to know more about on how this interaction takes place and what causes it to take place. I would like to research on how it can affect the strength of cyclones and how it can be determined easily. I appreciate the fact we are now knowledgeable about this kind of phenomenon. I can apply my learning and insights in my everyday life, if there is an occurence of such phenomenon i'll be knowledgeable about the things to be done.

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