Question

A large hurricane is wreaking havoc on a tropical coastal city at latitude 10°N and its surroundings. Observers report that the convecive cloud stretches up to a height of about 13 km. Above this height, air density is 0.7 kg/mand air pressure changes by 300 Pa over distances of 400 km. Estimate the approximate speed of winds aloft in km/hr. 4.

Answer 1

Fletchers formula for hurricane wind speeds is

V_max = 16x√(P_n-P_o)

where P_n and P_o are the outer and inner pressures respectively. We have directly been given this difference as 300Pa. or 3mb.

V_max = 16√3 = 27.71 knots or 51.31km/hr