2 ms·
Hurricanes are a different story, they are highly predictable (even in the very rare cases that the models are horrifically wrong about intensity, like the rece
by foobarchu 3y ago
Hurricanes are a different story, they are highly predictable (even in the very rare cases that the models are horrifically wrong about intensity, like the recent Hurricane Otis, we still got the track pretty close), but gigantic.
Tornados on the other hand are almost impossible to predict. The best our weather service can do is say "this storm is the kind that produces tornados, watch out" (a tornado watch), and to set off the sirens when one is sighted (a tornado warning).
Hurricanes are high intensity over a very large area, lasting for a long time. Tornados are short lived, unbelievably powerful, and cut a narrow path through whatever they decide to mow over.
- bee_rider 3y agoHurricanes are also the sort of disaster that the US is pretty decent at handling. They are big enough to be a major new event, but small enough that one only hits a couple states at a time. Small enough to not outdo our ability to focus national resources, but enough to draw our attention. Hurricanes hitting smaller, less rich countries seem like a much bigger humanitarian crisis.