geography - tropical storms

What are tropical storms?

Low pressure rotating storms, 800km across 12km high, high intensity, high volume rainfall

what is low wind shear

When all the wind is blowing in the same direction

what is high wind shear?

wind is all over the place

What are the hazards of tropical storms?

heavy rainfall ( 500mm) , high wind speeds ( 250km/hr ), storm surges

what is the 1st step of tropical storms being made

Air is heated above the surface of warm tropical oceans. The warm air rises rapidly under the low pressure conditions

2nd step of tropical storms being formed

the air draws up large volumes of moisture, causes strong winds

3rd step of tropical storms being formed

Coriolis force cause air to spin right ( anti cyclone )

4th step of tropical storms being formed

Air rises, cools then condenses to form large clouds, which generates torrential rainfall

5th step of tropical storms being formed

Cool air sinks in the eye, therefore there is no clouds so it's drier and much calmer

6th step of tropical storms being formed

energy dissipates and goes over land with prevailing winds

what scale identifies the storm intensity

Safari simpson scale

Why do tropical storms not form at the equator

the rotation of the earth does not produce sufficient spin for a tropical storm to develop

why is warm water a condition needed to form tropical storms

depth of warm water above 27 degrees. This provides heat and moisture that causes warm air to rise

why is low latitude a condition needed for tropical storms to form

5 and 20 degrees north and south of the equator. High insulation - high temp

how many points are there on the Safari simpson scale

1 to 5

what is ACE

Accumulated cyclone energy index to see the frequency of the cyclones

How might climate change affect tropical storms?

higher storm surges - temp increases, sea levels rise due to thermal expansion

increased heavy rainfall

warmer atmosphere = more moisture that air can hold

more destructive flooding

warmer atmosphere = more moisture that air can hold

example of increased heavy rainfall

1524mm rainfall in Texas during Hurricane Harvey (2017)

Why is there uncertainty whilst measuring tropical storms with climate change

Inaccurate data, previous data is not as accurate as the new tech. Predicting the impact of climate change is unreliable , the impact of climate change in the future is uncertain. Due to population growth, the risk to life and property has already increased

The primary effects of a tropical storm

Buildings and bridges can be destroyed, people can get into difficulties in the water, and roads and railways can become damaged.Power cables and telephone lines come down, crops are ruined, and water and sewage supplies are affected. Coastal habitats like beaches and mangroves can be damaged by storm surge floods

Secondary effects of tropical storms

Landslides which can cause people to become homeless and can block roads and railways. This can cause evacuation problems and difficulties for the emergency services.There can also be food and clean water shortages.

Responses

Governments can provide education and information about evacuation and survival kits, and international aid such as food, water, shelter and emergency services from developed nations can help after the event has occurred

What structures can be built to reduce the risk of tropical storms

Planning of new developments can avoid storm risk areas, and buildings can be designed to withstand the high winds and flooding, by having fixed roofs and using stilts or raised banks. Flood defences called levees can be constructed along rivers and at the coast, sea walls can be used to hold back storm surges.