Hurricane Milton.. Despite its relatively small size, it carries great destructive power. Why is that?

Arab Weather - Hurricane Milton may look huge on the ground and from space, but American meteorologist Sam Brandt says: "The factor that contributes to the strong winds in Hurricane Milton is its relatively small size compared to other hurricanes. In small storms, the pressure drop occurs over shorter distances, which increases pressure gradients.

Scientific explanation of what meteorologist Brant means

To explain Brandt's point, we need to understand how hurricanes physically work. Hurricanes form when there is a large drop in air pressure at their center, causing air to rush toward the center. However, the effect of this process varies depending on the size of the hurricane.

At the heart of a hurricane is an area of very low air pressure. In small hurricanes, this low pressure is concentrated in a smaller area than in larger hurricanes. The pressure gradient refers to the difference between the very low pressure at the center of the hurricane and the relatively high pressure outside the storm. Small hurricanes tend to have this pressure difference over shorter distances than larger hurricanes, resulting in a larger pressure gradient.

According to the laws of aerodynamics, the greater the pressure gradient, the faster the wind. This is because wind moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. When the gradient is greater, the force pushing the wind is greater, resulting in faster winds.

In large hurricanes, the transition between high and low pressure areas is gradual over a greater distance, making the pressure gradient smaller than in small hurricanes. In small hurricanes, this transition occurs more rapidly over shorter distances, resulting in a significant increase in wind speed.

Bottom line

The small size of Hurricane Milton causes the pressure transfer to be faster and more intense over a short distance, generating stronger winds than in larger storms. In small hurricanes, the pressure drop occurs over short distances, resulting in a larger pressure contrast between the center and the edges. This sharp contrast creates strong pressure gradients, which significantly enhance wind speed. Therefore, the shorter the distance between the center and the edges and the larger the pressure difference, the stronger the winds.

God knows best.