What is the Fujiwhara effect? Explain its impact on the movement and intensity of tropical cyclones. (Answer in 150 words)

The Fujiwhara effect is the mutual rotation and interaction of two nearby vortices around a common centre when their circulation fields overlap.

It commonly occurs when tropical cyclones approach within roughly 1,000–1,400 km, though distance depends on size and strength. The systems orbit cyclonically around a shared midpoint, exchange angular momentum and alter steering flows.

Their tracks may curve, accelerate, stall or diverge. A weaker cyclone can be captured or absorbed by the stronger one; similarly sized systems may merge. Convergence can enhance convection and rainfall, but competition for surrounding warm ocean and dry-air entrainment may weaken one or both. Forecast uncertainty rises sharply, complicating warnings, evacuation and landfall prediction.

vortex interaction, angular momentum, steering flow, convergence, cyclone forecasting