Dirty side of a storm

[GalvestonDuck]

Just WHY exactly does the dirty side of a storm become the dirty side? What causes the northeast quadrant to be the worst?

Thanks!

[Scott_inVA]

Just WHY exactly does the dirty side of a storm become the dirty side? What causes the northeast quadrant to be the worst?

Thanks!

Over simplified, the right side of a TC (in the N. Hem) typically produces the strongest winds due to the forward motion of the storm. If a storm is moving say due west (270°), the right side is actually to the NORTH (0°) of the track. A right side of a storm moving NW (315°) is really NE (45°).

Cyclones spin counter-clockwise, so a TC w/110MPH winds moving NW at 10 would produce ~120MPH winds in the right quads. Given the track of most TC's, the NE Quad therefore is where the strongest winds are located. The thing to remember is the NE Quad is 0° to 90° of the storm's path, not necessarily NE of what a satellite image displays. Heck, if Danny moves due south, the "northeast quad" of the storm is the SW quad of a sat image. Go figure.

Again, there is more to it, but that's the general idea.

HIH
Scott
WREL Radio,
Lexington, VA

[wxman57]

Actualy, a 110 mph storm will have 110 mph as the max winds - regardless of how fast it is moving. Recon estimates already take forward motion into account, so you do not add the forward speed to the right front quadrant.

[Scott_inVA]

Actualy, a 110 mph storm will have 110 mph as the max winds - regardless of how fast it is moving. Recon estimates already take forward motion into account, so you do not add the forward speed to the right front quadrant.

That is correct. One does not add forward speed to est winds. SFC Obs likewise reflect same.