Hurricanes, snowfall and tornadoes: what do they all have in common?

Amazingly, they've all occurred here in Florida. Let's take a look at the wild side of the Sunshine State's weather.

Hurricanes
   These monstrous storms have been very much in the news the last few years. The 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons were very active, with several major storms impacting Florida. From Charley to Jeanne, Dennis to Rita, Florida has been front and center for these swirling behemoths.
   Hurricanes are born in the tropics, where the sun heats up the ocean. The water heats the air, sending it aloft. As the air rises, it is replaced with more warm, moist air. Eventually, the rising air cools and the energy is released as rain. And the cycle starts again, creating a wind pattern that circulates around a center.
   Think of the way water swirls down a drain.
   Storms tend to move from east to west across the tropical Atlantic. Many times, a hurricane will turn to the north and out into the open ocean before coming anywhere near land. The ones that don't stand a good chance of striking the southeastern United States.

Snow
   Yes, it does on rare occasions snow in Florida. The most famous snowstorm was in January of 1977, when it snowed as far south as Miami!
   While real snow isn't the norm in Florida, flurries are not as uncommon as you might imagine. The Florida Panhandle can get quite cold in the winter, with night temperatures dipping into the teens and days not rising above freezing. Cold fronts tend to move from the northwest to the southeast , crossing Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
   As the cold front moves over the Gulf, the moisture in the water evaporates into the cold air. The warming air rises; as it cools, it forms clouds. If enough moisture is present in the clouds to rain, and if the air is cold enough...Snow. Or in Florida's case, tiny snow flurries.

Tornadoes
   These whirling dervishes regularly visit Florida. When they are above land, they are called tornadoes, but over water they are called waterspouts.
   Did you know that tornadoes are more common here in Florida than they are in Oklahoma? Yes, it's the truth -- we get more. However, Florida's tornadoes tend to be smaller, with lower windspeeds. Oklahoma may get fewer, but they get the big ones.
   The most famous outbreak in Florida's recent history was in February of 1998. On the 22nd and 23rd, within a 3.5 hour period, 7 tornadoes touched down in Central Florida. While tornadoes in February are unusual enough, three of these storms were rated as F3 on the Fujita scale -- extremely strong for Florida.

Hurricanes and Snow and Tornadoes - Oh My!
   Don't let Florida's sometimes wild weather keep you from visiting. Most of the time the weather is fine, and lives up to the motto - the Sunshine State.
   For more Florida weather information visit www.florida-weather-and-vacations.com.

About the author: Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys showing the Sunshine State to visitors. She is the publisher of www.great-florida-vacations.com.