Storm hazards

Tropical storms will form when:

• they form between 5-30 degrees north and south of the equator

• the sea must be at least 26 degrees Celsius

• the depth of the ocean must be at least 70m deep

• prevailing winds caused by the Coriolis effect causes the winds to spin

• there needs to be low air convergence

• rapid outflow of the air in the upper atmosphere

tropical storms are formed over the ocean because …

the ocean gives them their power through latent heat

Formation of tropical storms

• air is heated

• warm air causes water to evaporate

• strong winds from as rising air draws up more air and moisture

• the rising air spins around a calm central eye causing the storm clouds

• the rising air cools it forms larger storm clouds and rain fall

• heat is given off as it cools powering the tropical storm

• cooler air sinks into the eye making it calm

• the tropical storm will travel across the ocean till it meets land

• once it meets land the tropical storm will start to calm down as it is no longer being powered by the ocean

Climate change and tropical storms

• distribution - more area will tropical storms as ocean temperatures will be rising across the globe

• frequency - going to stay at the same frequency or potential decrease due to increase in intensity

• intensity - the storms will become more intense as the storms will have more space to travel and there is more warm air making them more intense

Protecting against tropical storms

• build houses out of materials that can withstand high wind speeds

• buildings on stilts

• circular buildings

• education surrounding the risks

• coastal defences

Monitoring tropical storms

• bouys that measure the temperature of the water

• bouys that can measure the waves

• weather systems

• satellite imaging

planning

• planned evacuation routes and procedures

• stock of emergency supplies

• increased number of emergency services with an increased number of supplies and equipment

prediction

• weather systems

• satellite imaging

• warning systems

Case studies