Tropical Storms and Climate Change

Tropical Storms

• Definition: Tropical storms are intense low pressure weather systems characterized by heavy rain and strong winds spiraling around a central eye.
• Common Names: They are referred to as hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones depending on the region.

Development of Tropical Storms

1. Conditions for Formation:
   • Requires sea temperature of 27 °C or higher.
   • Occurs between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator.
   • Low wind shear in the atmosphere.
2. Process of Development:
   • Warm surface water evaporates, rises, and condenses into clouds releasing large amounts of energy.
   • Rising air creates an area of low pressure, increasing surface winds.
   • Tropical storms are pushed towards the west by easterly winds.
3. Coriolis Effect:
   • The storms spin due to the Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth’s rotation.
4. Energy Source:
   • Wind speeds increase as storms move over warm water. They weaken over land or cooler water due to a loss of energy.
5. Seasonality:
   • Most storms occur in the northern hemisphere from August to October; in the southern hemisphere, they occur from December to April.

Extreme Weather Conditions Associated with Tropical Storms

Extreme Winds

• Characteristics:
  • High wind speeds can exceed 250 ext{ km/h}.
  • Cause significant damage to buildings, vegetation, and can transport loose objects.

Extreme Rain

1. **Heavy Precipitation: **
   • Tropical storms can bring immense amounts of rain rapidly, leading to flooding.
2. Mechanism:
   • Warm, moist air is drawn into the storm, rising and cooling, releasing rain as it condenses.
3. Consequences:
   • Can result in extensive flooding and landslides.

Distribution and Frequency of Tropical Storms

• Distribution: Most occur between 5° and 30° latitudes. Fewer storms form closer to the equator due to insufficient warm water.
• Frequency Trends:
  • Storm frequency varies annually; an increase observed in the Atlantic since 1984, but no significant trend over the last 130 years.

Case Study: Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

• Details:
  • Made landfall in the Philippines on November 8, 2013; winds reached 314 ext{ km/h}.
  • Severe rain and a storm surge caused waves up to 5 ext{ m}.
• Primary Effects:
  • 8000 people died, over 1 ext{ million} homes destroyed, heavy flooding over 600 ext{ 000 hectares}.
• Secondary Effects:
  • Landslides blocked roads, businesses destroyed leading to $5.6 ext{ million}$ workers jobless, disease outbreaks due to contaminated water.

Responses to Typhoon Haiyan

Immediate Responses

1. Warnings: PAGASA warned 2 days prior, evacuating 800,000 residents.
2. Emergency Declarations: The Philippines declared a state of emergency enabling aid to flow.
3. International Help: Charities provided food, shelter, and sanitation facilities.

Long-Term Responses

1. UN Appeal: More than 300 ext{ million} sought for rebuilding efforts.
2. Reconstruction of Homes: Charities built hurricane-resistant houses.
3. Tourism Promotion: Encouraged visits to unaffected areas to aid economic recovery.

Climate Change Impact on Tropical Storms

• Global Temperature Increase: Average sea surface temperatures increased by 0.9 °C since 1880, leading to more powerful storms.
• Forecast Changes in Storms: Rising sea temperatures may allow storms to form in new areas or increase their frequency and intensity.

UK Weather Hazards

• Diverse weather hazards include strong winds, heavy rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves, impacting economies and infrastructure.

Management of Tropical Storms

• Prediction and Monitoring: Utilizing technology to predict paths and allow for timely evacuations.
• Planning and Design: Buildings constructed to withstand storms, flood defences installed, communities trained for emergency responses to improve preparedness.

Conclusion

• Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of tropical storms is crucial for risk management and disaster preparedness, especially in regions prone to such severe weather events.