The edge of a hurricane has overtaken your MODU in the Gulf of Mexico and the northwest wind of a few hours ago has shifted to the west. This is an indication that you are located in the __________.
• Hurricane wind circulation around low pressure in the Northern Hemisphere • Difference between dangerous semicircle and navigable semicircle of a hurricane • How wind shift direction changes as a hurricane passes your longitude
• If winds were northwest a few hours ago and are now west, how has the storm’s center moved in relation to your position? • In the Northern Hemisphere, looking down on the storm, which side of the hurricane has winds that tend to shift in that pattern as the storm moves? • Which semicircle generally has stronger onshore winds and more dangerous conditions for vessels and MODUs?
• Confirm the general circulation around a low in the Northern Hemisphere is counterclockwise and inward • Sketch or visualize your position relative to the hurricane’s track: are you on the right (dangerous) or left (navigable) side of the storm’s path? • Verify which term, dangerous semicircle vs navigable semicircle, corresponds to the side where wind and storm motion combine to produce the greatest risk to vessels.
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