tropical stormss

Tropical storm defintion

Low pressure storm with high winds and torrential rain

Cheeky cool points abt tropical storms

1. Develop in tropical regions between 5-20 degrees celcius

2. At equator it is warm but coriolis effect is too weak

3. Losing energu when reaching land or cool water

Explain the naming of the TS in different countries

Hurricane, Hurricane, Cyclone, Typhoon

Causes of the tropical storm

1. Coriolis effect = rotation of the earth = causes air around the centre of the eye to move in a circular motion

2. Ocean temps of 25-26 degrees and atleast 50m deep

3. Low wind shear = doesn’t disrupt organisation of the storm = prevent it from strengthening

4. Air pressure = unstable = where high and low pressure meet (convergence) = warm air rises more readily and clouds can form

Hazards of tropical storms

1. High winds

2. Heavy rainfall = flooding and storm surges

3. Landslides = soil becomes heavy due to rainfall

4. Storm surges = large rise in sea levels caused by low pressure and high winds. Pushes water towards coast

Measuring tropical storms

• saffir Simpson scale (1-5)

• Category 1 is the weakest

• Based on wind speeds

• CON = only considers wind speeds but there are other factors e.g. rainfall

Tropical storms and global warming

1. No clear evidence that this is linnked

2. A longter time period of study is necessary

3. Login in warmer atmosphere to hold more moisture but this is countered by increased wind shear (negative feedback)

Talk abt the frequency of a tropical storm

1. Northern hemisphere (Jun-Nov) = short period

2. Southern hemisphere (Nov-April) = longer period

Talk abt the regularity of tropical storms

Irregular - they occur in the same areas but their path is not a set route

Prediction for tropical storms

Form away from land. Satellite tracking can see cloud formation and movement = general route can be predicted

Formation of tropical storm

1. Warm, moist air rises from the ocean, low pressure at the surface

2. Warm air rises (central vortex formed) and cools and moisture condenses forming clouds = cumulonimbus clouds, windy and cloudy

3. Middle of the storm = cold air is sinking = centre of the storm = eye = good conditions

4. Blow across the globe in a westerly direction in line w trade winds

5. Die as it reaches land and cooler oceans

Dangerous part of tropical storm

The eye wall