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For Students · Coriolis Effect

Coriolis Effect for a thunderstorm

Built for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition. Simulate a thunderstorm live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Coriolis EffectLive

why winds and currents curve

Controls

Speed1×

Presets

Latitude (°)

On a spinning planet, anything moving freely appears to curve — right in the Northern Hemisphere, left in the Southern. This Coriolis deflection is zero at the equator and strongest at the poles. It steers winds, ocean currents, and the rotation of hurricanes, and it is why weather systems spin.

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Data Inspector

Latitude45°

Deflectionto the right

Strength71%

Governing equation

a_{C} = - 2 Ω \times v, f = 2Ω sin φ \propto sin (4 5^{\circ}) = 0.71

Reading this result: Deflection scales with sin(latitude), so at 45° the force is about 71% of its polar maximum, curving motion to the right (Northern Hemisphere).

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for students?: Yes — this version of "Coriolis Effect for a thunderstorm" is framed for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.