DRRR Quiz 2 Reviewer

Typhoon

Storm with strong winds and heavy rains around a central low pressure area

Tai Fung

Chinese term where “typhoon” was derived from

Ta

Big

Fung

Bagyo

Tropical Cyclone

Storm formed over warm ocean waters in tropical regions

Conditions needed for Tropical Cyclones

• Warm ocean waters (26.5C+)

• Moist air

• Low vertical wind shear

• Coriolis Effect

Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

Region PAGASA monitors tropical cyclones and issues warnings

Eye

Calm, low-pressure center of a tropical cyclone

Eye Wall

Region surrounding the tropical cyclone’s center

Rain Bands

Cloud strips on the edges of tropical cyclones, causing rain

Coriolis Effect

Deflection of motion due to Earth’s rotation

Northern Hemisphere spins?

Counter-clockwise

Southern Hemisphere spins?

Clockwise

9 Days

Average lifespan of a tropical cyclone

Geohazard Maps

Map showing areas prone to landslides and flooding that coincide with paths of typhoons

PAGASA (acronym)

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration

PAGASA (definition)

Agency that forecasts and observes tropical cyclones in the Philippines

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Measures hurricane strength based on wind speed (Category 1-5)

Hurricanes

US & Caribbean (N.E. Pacific Ocean and N. Atlantic)

Cyclones

South Asia (S.W. Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean)

Typhoons

East Asia (N.W. Pacific Ocean)

Willy-willies

Australia

Earth’s Intertropical Convergence Zone

Region where trade winds meet near the equator, causing storms

Public Storm Warning Signals

PAGASA’s system for warning about tropical cyclones

PSWS #1

• 30-60 km/h winds within 36 hours

• Zero to minimal damage

PSWS #2

• 61-120 km/h winds within 24 hours

• Light to moderate damage

PSWS #3

• 121-170 km/h winds within 18 hours

• Moderate to heavy damage

PSWS #4

• 171-220 km/h winds within 12 hours

• Heavy to very heavy damage

PSWS #5

• 220+ km/h winds within 12 hours

• Very heavy to widespread damage

Lead time

Time until cyclone arrives

Tropical Depression

61 kph or less

Tropical Storm

62-88 kph

Severe Tropical Storm

89-117 kph

Typhoon

118-200 kph

Super Typhoon

220+ kph

Storm Surges

Unusual rise in seawater above the normal tide

Tidal Wave

Gravitationally induced wave

Storm Intensity

Wind speed affecting surge levels

Thunderstorm

Short, intense weather disturbance with heavy rain and lightning

Developing/Cumulus Stage

When warm air forms growing cumulus clouds

Mature Stage

When the thunderstorm is strongest

Final/Dissipating Stage

When the storm loses its energy

Lightning

Visible electrical discharge within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground

Hail

Solid precipitation in thunderstorms

Hailstone

Piece of ice produced during a thunderstorm

Hailstorm

Thunderstorm that produces hail

Tornadoes

Rotating columns of wind extending from a thunderstorm to the ground

Waterspouts

Tornadoes that form over water

Flooding

Abnormal rise in water levels

Riverine

Anything related to, formed by, or located near a river

Flash Flood

Rapid and violent arrival of a large volume of water

Flood Control

Measures implemented to prevent floodings

El Nino Southern Oscillation

Climate pattern with fluctuations in sea temperatures and pressure

El Nino

Warming of sea temperatures in the central & eastern equatorial Pacifics

La Nina

Cooling of Pacific Ocean waters, bringing more rain and cooler weather