How do tropical storms differ from winter storms?
Tropical and extratropical cyclones have different data traces as they pass by our stations. Tropical cyclones are hurricanes or tropical storms. Extratropical cyclones are winter storms, or typical low pressure areas. Take a look at the following time-series plots, and see if you can figure out whether the storm is tropical or extratropical. If you thought this was a tropical cyclone, you are correct. These measurements were taken by our station at Folly Beach, SC (near Charleston), during the passage of Hurricane Hugo. Note the abrupt, large drop in pressure in a few hours that accompanied the storm; then, the almost perfectly symmetrical rise on the other side of the eye. Also, notice the 1-hour lull in winds flanked by abrupt peaks on either side that marks he eye wall. Tropical systems are often small compared with extratropical ones. No evidence is shown for any fronts. Fronts are zones of temperature contrast accompanied by wind shifts and pressure kinks. With the exception of a
