Compare and contrast hurricanes and mid-latitude cyclones

Answer 1

Tropical cyclones, called hurricanes, are similar to middle-latitude cyclonic storms in that, at the surface, both have central cores of low pressure and winds that spiral counterclockwise (in the Northern Hemisphere) about their respective centers. However, there are many differences between these two storm systems. A hurricane derives its energy from the warm water and the latent heat of condensation, whereas a mid-latitude storm derives its energy from horizontal temperature contrasts. The vertical structure of a hurricane is such that its central column of air is warm from the surface upward (i.e., they are warm-core lows). A hurricane weakens with height. Mid-latitude cyclones, however, are cold-core lows that usually intensify with increasing height. A hurricane usually contains an eye where the air is sinking, while mid-latitude cyclones are characterized by centers of rising air. Hurricane winds are strongest near the surface, whereas the strongest winds of the mid-latitude cyclones are found aloft in the jet stream. Even though hurricanes weaken rapidly as they move inland, their circulation may draw in air with contrasting properties and if the hurricane links with an upper-level trough, it may actually become a mid-latitude cyclone.