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DISCOVERY
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The path that a hurricane takes can be influenced by many things. If you are trying to predict the path, you would be wise to notice some of the factors that may cause a hurricane to change direction or to slow down its progress. Atlantic hurricanes begin off the coast of Africa. Then they move toward North America, pushed along by the prevailing easterly wind. But as they get closer to land, their tracks can be influenced by winds circulating around high and low pressure systems moving across the United States. The letter "H" on the map indicates high-pressure systems. Winds follow a circular path around the center of a high. They blow in a clockwise direction. The letter "L" indicates low-pressure systems. Just as with a high, winds are constantly blowing around a low. However, with a low, the wind blows in a counter-clockwise direction. A hurricane's forward progress can also be slowed or stopped by encounters with westward-moving cold fronts. As this storm approaches land, you should pay attention to the winds blowing around any Hs and Ls on the map. Watch out for approaching cold fronts too. |