geography paper 1 - tropical storms

characteristics of storms

• develop between 5 and 30 latitude north and south of the equator

• the sea temperature has to be 27 or higher

process of storm

1. the warm surface water evaporates, rises and condenses into clouds - this releases energy for storms

2. prevailing winds move the storm

3. the storm spins because of the coriolis effect

4. as the storm moves over the warm water the energy from it strengthens it - wind speed increases

5. storms lose energy when they go over cooler waters

eye of the storm

• centre of the storm

• up to 50km across and caused by descending air

• low pressure, light winds, no clouds, no rain and high temperatures

eye wall

• surrounds the eye

• very strong winds

• torrential rain

• low temperatures

edges of the storm

• wind speed falls

• clouds become smaller and more scattered

• rain becomes less intense

• temperature increases