When two hurricanes come close enough to each other, they interact through a phenomenon called the Fujiwhara effect. This effect causes the two storms to begin an intense "dance" around a common center, rotating around each other as if linked

. What happens next depends on the relative strength and proximity of the hurricanes:

• If one hurricane is significantly stronger, the smaller storm will orbit the larger one and eventually be absorbed into its vortex, effectively merging into the bigger hurricane

• If the two hurricanes are closer in strength, they may spiral around each other for a time and then either merge into a single larger storm or separate and continue on their own paths

• In rare cases, the interaction can be additive, resulting in a larger, more intense storm than either hurricane alone

The Fujiwhara effect usually occurs when the storms are about 900 miles apart, and the interaction can also cause changes in their tracks and intensities

. Additionally, when hurricanes merge or interact, they can cause significant oceanic effects such as upwelling, which brings cold water to the surface and can cool sea surface temperatures by several degrees, influencing the storm's intensity and the surrounding environment

. In summary, two hurricanes "colliding" typically results in them rotating around each other due to the Fujiwhara effect, with possible outcomes including absorption of one storm by the other, merging into a larger storm, or separation after interaction