Dear Tom,
Why aren't there hurricanes in California if it is by an ocean?
-Ellen Szostak, age 10
Dear Ellen,
The reason why California doesn't get many hurricanes is because the ocean water there is just too cold. Tropical cyclones generally need a water temperature of 80 degrees or higher for formation, and the waters off the California coast usually range from the middle 70s in the far south portion of the state to the very chilly upper 40s near the Oregon border. The eastern Pacific Ocean gets its share of hurricanes, but most develop in the warmer tropical waters from Central America north to Baja California. These storms sometimes strike the west coast of Mexico, but most tend to move west into the open Pacific and dissipate. On rare occasions, one of these storms will move north and affect the southwestern United States.
Why aren't there hurricanes in California if it is by an ocean?
-Ellen Szostak, age 10
Dear Ellen,
The reason why California doesn't get many hurricanes is because the ocean water there is just too cold. Tropical cyclones generally need a water temperature of 80 degrees or higher for formation, and the waters off the California coast usually range from the middle 70s in the far south portion of the state to the very chilly upper 40s near the Oregon border. The eastern Pacific Ocean gets its share of hurricanes, but most develop in the warmer tropical waters from Central America north to Baja California. These storms sometimes strike the west coast of Mexico, but most tend to move west into the open Pacific and dissipate. On rare occasions, one of these storms will move north and affect the southwestern United States.
