Score: 0
Farmland Integrity
Time: 60
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About Coriolis Cyclone

Steer rotating storms with the Coriolis effect in this free online meteorology game about fluid dynamics and weather systems for earth science students.

Coriolis Cyclone is a free online weather game where you balance atmospheric pressure grids and harness Coriolis deflection to steer rain toward farmland while deflecting cyclones out to sea. This meteorology game turns the physics of a spinning planet into a playable simulation.

The Coriolis effect arises because Earth rotates beneath moving air. In the Northern Hemisphere winds deflect right and in the Southern Hemisphere they deflect left, which is why cyclones spin counterclockwise up north and clockwise down south. The game makes you feel that deflection instead of memorizing it.

Pressure gradients supply the engine. Air flows from high to low pressure while Coriolis bends that flow into spirals called cyclones and anticyclones. Global circulation cells, jet streams and hurricane steering all follow from the same two ingredients you manipulate here: pressure differences plus planetary rotation.

Key Science Concepts

What You'll Learn

Grade Level: Middle School, High School

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How to play

  1. Place Pressure Cells Click or tap to place High [H] or Low [L] pressure cells to curve the flowing wind field.
  2. Tow and Seed Rain Hover drone near clouds to tow them westward or click clouds directly to trigger immediate rain.
  3. Deflect Cyclones Erect High ridges in front of Category 5 cyclones to deflect them rightward into open sea.

Frequently asked questions

Is Coriolis Cyclone free to play?
Yes. Coriolis Cyclone is completely free to play in your browser. There is no download, install or account needed.
What grade level is Coriolis Cyclone for?
Coriolis Cyclone is designed for Middle School, High School students and works well as a classroom activity or homework.
Does Coriolis Cyclone work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Coriolis Cyclone runs in any modern browser on desktop computers, Chromebooks, tablets and phones in landscape mode.

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