Geography hazards - tropical storms

tropical storms

what conditions are needed?

• ocean temperature (27 degrees or above)

• Ocean depth 80 meters

• Light crosswinds

• Low air pressure (<1000mb)

• Latitude: 5-30 north and south of the equator

• Coriolis effect

• Late summer when temperatures are high

Coriolis effect

because of the earths rotation circulating are is deflected toward the right (in the northern hemisphere) and towards the left (in the southern hemisphere)

positive effects of tropical storms

• regulates the global climate because it circulates the heat

Negative effects of tropical storms

• high winds

• Storm surges

• Destruction

• Loss of life

Consequences

• terrestrial rain, thunder, lightning and flooding

• Flooding from storm surges

• Destruction of property and environment

• Loss of life: especially in densely populated areas

What scale are they measured in?

The saffir-Simpson scale