What is an extratropical cyclone?
Q: What is an extratropical cyclone?
A: An extratropical cyclone is a type of large low-pressure weather area with clouds, rain and heavy wind that occurs in areas between latitudes 30° – 60° from the equator.
Q: How does an extratropical cyclone differ from tropical cyclones or polar zone low-pressure weather areas?
A: Extratropical cyclones are not the same as tropical cyclones or low-pressure weather areas from polar zones. They are actually many masses of cold and warm fronts producing rain, heavy wind, and sometimes tornadoes and even hail.
Q: In which direction do extratropical cyclones turn in the Northern Hemisphere?
A: Extratropical cyclones turn anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Q: What shape does an extratropical cyclone usually have?
A: The shape of an extratropical cyclone is usually circular or oval with a usual diameter of about 1000 km.
Q: What can happen when a tropical storm becomes weak but does not die when it moves over cold water?
A: When a tropical storm becomes weak but does not die when it moves over cold water, it can become an extratropical storm which may be even stronger than before. It can still have an eye (a place in the middle of a tropical cyclone that is not as windy, cloudy, or rainy).
Q: How are European windstorms formed?
A: European windstorms are formed when winds from the northwestern part of the Atlantic carry them more east and north towards Europe.
Q: How do Nor'easters form?
A: Nor'easters often hit northeastern North America and are made when it is cold, most often in late fall. Wind from the west part of the Atlantic moves them north causing them to become stronger and drop snow on the areas they move into.
