Is it possible to have hurrican conditions on the great lakes?

Answer 1

If you mean an actual hurricane in the Great Lakes region, no. Hurricanes form over tropical ocean areas where there is a lot of thermal energy available due to the heating of the ocean's surface. Coriolis effect begins the circulation both in a circular manner and, to a certain extent, in a vertical direction. As long as the storm is over warm water, it will be self-perpetuating to a degree.

Once the storm system leaves the warm water areas, it begins to break down. This occurs when it goes over land or enters the subtropical and extratropical regions. However, the size of the storm may enable it to maintain itself once inland heading for the Great Lakes, for example.

I've been around fifty years and I grew up in the Chicago area. I don't think I've seen one system survive as a hurricane (wind speeds greater than 73 mph) into the Great Lakes area.

There have been windstorms almost as bad but not hurricanes.

Answer 2

Yes, you can have hurricane force winds on the great lakes but not an actual hurricane. Hurricanes (for the east coast) form off the west coast of Africa as a large area of thunderstorms that start to organize (rotate around a common center) and move with the trade winds to the west. Hurricanes also form off the west coast of Mexico and occasionally affect the United States.

Answer 3

No because the great lakes are too cold and not a great amount of water to support tropical conditions. For hurricane conditions, the water has to be in the 80's or higher and needs to be in a Ocean.

Answer 4

condition yes, actual hurricane no because the amount of wind shear would tear the storms apart, the lakes dont have deep enough warm water durning the summer so upwelling would limit the ability of a possible storm to strengthen.

there are however many different storms that can produce hurricane conditions with the top end being supercells and derechos, both capable of producing winds in category 2 strength.

Answer 5

Yes
Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Storm_of_1913

Answer 6

The great lakes just aren't big or deep enough to influence the weather enough.

Answer 7

Technically, it is possible. But I don't think it is very likely.