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Puzzling Electric Hurricanes

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the zap-me-like-a-hurricane dept.

SpaceAdmiral writes "Hurricanes seldom have lightning because they primarily consist of horizontal winds (as opposed to vertical winds). However, three of the biggest storms of 2005 (Rita, Katrina, and Emily) had plenty of lightning and NASA has an interesting write-up about it." Bottom line is "we still have a lot to learn about hurricanes."

6 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Plug the hole? by DaveM753 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Judging by this picture, the moon looks just about the right size to plug the hole in this hurricane.
    Wouldn't that stop it?

  2. hmm by mistermicro · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Generally there's not a lot of lightning in the eye-wall region," he says. "So when people see lightning there, they perk up -- they say, okay, something's happening."

    incase the 100mph winds didn't have your attention already..

    sigh.. hurricanes and their egos.

  3. Allow me to translate.... by Duncan3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    God is saying...

    "You're screwing up my planet, I'm going to kick your ass now."

    --
    - Adam L. Beberg - The Cosm Project - http://www.mithral.com/
  4. Re:Modesty and Knowledge. by Y2 · · Score: 5, Funny
    In other news: Scientists admit that they don't know everything.

    Which wouldn't be noteworthy, except for the numerous other factions that make no such admission, ever.

    --
    "But all your emitter and collector are belong to me!"
  5. Re:haarp by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    /me loosens tinfoil hat a bit

    Forget the hat ... loosen your tie. A little oxygen will help.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  6. Re:Lightning? Not The Result of Global Warming by bloo9298 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Aliens? That's silly. Don't worry, Pat Robertson will no doubt explain why the lightning occurred soon enough.