Weather Words: 'Stadium Effect'

When a hurricane hunters flight flew into the eye of Hurricane Melissa on Monday, they captured what is called a “stadium effect.” But what is a stadium effect? Basically, it refers to the way the inside of a well-defined hurricane eye can appear to look like a bowl-shaped stadium. The towering clouds that make up the surrounding eyewall take on the role of stadium seating, while the lower, clearer portion near the center of the eye is the playing field. Although this can be seen from space, it's a particularly impressive sight when Hurricane Hunter aircrafts flying inside the eye capture it.

The stadium effect forms due to the hurricane's intense rotational dynamics and powerful updrafts within the eyewall. As air spirals inward toward the hurricane's center, it encounters the eye's boundary and is forced violently upward, creating the towering cumulonimbus clouds that define the eyewall.

Those few who have witnessed the stadium effect phenomenon firsthand describe the sight as surreal. Imagine it: you are in a bright area of relative calm, completely encircled by towering walls of dark, roiling clouds. The effect serves as a visual reminder of the hurricane's immense energy, organization and power.

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.