1.10 Characteristics of Tropical Storm

Question 1

what is a tropical cyclone

Answer 1

a troical cyclone is a very large, spinning storm that forms in the tropics. They have high winds and torrential rain

Question 2

what is a coriolis force

Answer 2

The circulatory motion of air due to the rotation of the earth, anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clock-wise in the southern hemisphere.

Question 3

what is a Vortext

Answer 3

Spinning high winds and heavy rainfall

Question 4

3 names for tropical storms

Answer 4

Typhoons
Cyclones
Hurricanes

Question 5

formation of tropical storm

Answer 5

Tropical storms develop over large surfaces of warm sea water 26 degrees or higher within the tropics between 5 and 20 degrees of the equator.

Warm air rapidly rises from the surface of the sea which creates extreme low pressure.

The rotation of the earth, called the coriolis force, causes this air to spin.

As the air spins and warm air rises, more air rushes to fill the space left create strong surface winds. There is a calm, clear eye of the storm in the centre as this is the only part where cold air is sinking.

Warm air which has risen, cools and condenses to form huge cumulonimbus clouds which bring heavy rain.

Tropical storms move in the direction of the prevailing wind which are the common wind direction caused by the earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)

As hurricanes move inshore, their power gradually reduces because their energy comes from sucking up moist sea air.