Coriolis Effect (Weather)

Work in Progress

According to proponents of the Coriolis Effect, in the Northern Hemisphere wind systems rotate counter-clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere wind systems will rotate clockwise. This is provided as evidence of the Coriolis Effect, and therefore, as evidence of the diurnal motion of the earth.

Dr. Anantha Aiyyer of NC State University explains that systems should rotate counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/technology/article103760221.html

The National Geographic relays the same sentiment:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/wind/

=Prevailing Winds and Trade Winds=

"Prevailing Winds" and "Trade Winds" are the world's large permanent wind systems. When we look at the permanent currents of the world, we find the counter-clockwise rule of the Northern Hemisphere and the clockwise rule of the Southern Hemisphere to be untrue. Earth's large permanent wind systems are rotating in a manner contrary to the alleged Coriolis Effect.

Prevailing Currents of the Pacific (Click for bigger)



=Hurricanes=

Coriolis Effect proponents point to the rotation of hurricanes. In the Northern Hemisphere hurricanes rotate counter-clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere hurricanes rotate clockwise, thus proving the Coriolis Effect. While researching this claim, we find that it may indeed be generally true for most hurricanes.

Counter-Rotating Vortexes
To explain why the hurricanes rotate oppositely from each other we point to the fact that Hurricanes develop near the equator, and that at the equator there exists a strong wind current called the Equatorial Counter Current, which is a strong permanent easterly-flowing wind current. This Counter Current runs in an opposite direction to westerly-flowing currents North and South of it. Since the atmosphere is generally characterized as a fluid, we can imagine this as a water current which moves against the flow of the waters around it.

To explain why the hurricanes rotate in an opposite manner from each other when they develop near the equator we look to the the following videos, where friction in water creates oppositely rotating vortexes:

- Wooden Spoon Stroking Through Water Creates Counter-Rotating Vortexes (1m29s) - Dinner Plate Creates Counter-Rotating Vortexes in a Swimming Pool (2m20s)

The same general phenomena seen in the fluids of water in the above videos are occurring with the fluids of the air near the equator. When comparing the direction plate and spoon across the water with the direction of vortex rotation to the direction of the Equatorial Counter Current and the directions of vortex rotation in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, we find that, indeed, the directions match up. A "Coriolis Effect" is not needed to describe the rotational direction of these systems.

Counter Current Activity Correlation
The following is a study which associates curious activity in the Equatorial Counter Current (also known as the North Equatorial Counter Current) with the development of hurricanes.

On the role of the North Equatorial Counter Current during a strong El Niño

https://www.ocean-sci.net/14/633/2018/os-14-633-2018.pdf

Abstract:

Text:

Hence, we find that westerly disturbance of the easterly flowing Equatorial Counter Current was associated with the development of the El Niño hurricanes. Like the friction of the objects against the water in the previous example, it is the disturbance of this powerful wind system which provided the friction needed for these notorious storms.

Crossing the Equator
Coriolis Effect proponents further assert that hurricanes do not cross over the equator into the opposing hemisphere. Although we have found articles of instances where storms have crossed, we accept the rarity and point out the following:

- At the equator exists a strong and permanent easterly-flowing current called the Equatorial Counter Current, which is bordered on the North and South by permanent westerly-flowing currents called the Northern and Southern Equatorial currents. Such a hurricane would need to defeat these currents in order to make it across.

- Hurricanes are created by these topical wind currents, and are sent spiraling Northward or Southward away from the tropical regions of the equator to cause havoc towards temperate regions of the North or South.

- Hurricanes have relatively short lives with an average of about 9 days.

The above points make it unreasonable for a hurricane to return to the equator and cross to the other side.

Where Are Hurricanes Formed?
https://scijinks.gov/hurricane/

Hurricane Path Map
From https://weloveweather.tv/hurricanes-equator/ we see the following graphic, showing hurricanes originating in the tropical regions of near the equator:

150 years of tropical cyclone tracks through 2006



Hurricane Life Cycle
http://hurricanescience.org/science/science/hurricanelifecycle/

Average Life
http://www.wxresearch.org/family/pg4.html

http://shopkins.uga.edu/dir/Geog1112/Lectures1112/LECT19TropCyclo.htm

North Equatorial Current (Westerly)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Equatorial_Current

Equatorial Counter Current (Easterly)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_Counter_Current

South Equatorial Current (Westerly)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Equatorial_Current

=Addendum=

We suspect that if all of the the wind and ocean patterns, systems, and currents of the world were traveling in a reverse manner to which they travel, that the Coriolis Effect proponents would instead be championing the Prevailing Winds and Trade Winds as proof of the Coriolis Effect and the rotation of the earth, while blissfully ignoring the hurricanes.