Dust Storms Prevent Hurricanes

The dust storms in Africa may have an effect on the North American hurricane season.

Hurricanes that hit North America are formed in the Atlantic along the coast of Africa and then move westward across the ocean. The waters have to be very warm in order for a storm to form. The hurricane season in North America is during the winter months because the sun is closer to the Southern Hemisphere.

Meteorologists keep a watchful eye for any storm forming in that area. At least we know in advance when a potential hurricane is forming.

The last two Atlantic hurricane seasons have been non-events compared to 2004 and 2005 when we saw the destruction of Charlie and Katrina and a host of others. It seemed for a while that I was watching the hurricane broadcasts on CNN almost every two weeks.

Why are some hurricane seasons worse than others?

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) have found an interesting correlation. In years when there is an increase of dust storms in Africa, there is a reduction of hurricanes.

These dust storms travel off the continent of Africa and westward out to the Atlantic where they cause a dense cover over the water. If the water is not getting full sun, then it will not warm up to the point where a storm is formed. Just one dust storm will not prevent warming but there has to be a series.

So as long as the dust blows in Africa, the winds won’t blow in North America.

Story Source: Science Daily