Fall is on in the North, and it's time to break out the cozy cashmeres as you enjoy the beautiful Fall colors. Maybe, just maybe, you're daydreaming of how you could extend your warm Summer days but the threat of hurricanes may stop you from pushing the buy button on those flights south right? Check this out: Panama never has hurricanes. Seriously! We get a lot of rain but never hurricanes.
Why is that? Well, I'm glad you asked. Essentially, as you see in the pretty image above, we are below the hurricane belt so we just simply don't get hurricanes. But OK, for those of you looking for a bit more information, you geek out here but I'll try my best to keep it simple.
Essentially, the Coriolis effect - which is the result of the earth's rotation on weather patterns causes storms to swirl clockwise in the Southern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere and that turning of the weather patterns as well as warm ocean temperatures and warm moist air causes high & low pressure systems that form lots of clouds up high. You know, those circular swirling clouds with an eye in the center that you are seeing on radar images of hurricanes.
Still with me? Good. Not much more to go.
Those warm ocean waters of the tropics have a lot of strength and are feeding the energy that cause those clouds to spin. OK, so if we're talking warm water and moist air it seems like Panama would get hurricanes because it has both of those. But really, because the Coriolis effect is too weak near the equator, there is not enough strength to cause the strong swirling wind currents of a hurricane system.
We do however, get a lot of rain this time of year which means WATERFALL season is ON! We always hope for extra rain when going for a waterfall hike because it's pure joy and fun to jump in.
So, go ahead and hit the book button and let's go for a hike.
Your Friends in Morrillo, Cari and Ryan Mackey Owners and Hosts Morrillo Beach Eco Resort