3.2 Where are tropical storms formed? Flashcards
What conditions do tropical storms form?
➢ Form over warm oceans where temperature is above 27 degrees
Where do tropical storms form?
➢ Most form 5-15 degrees north and south of the Equator
What is the effect of the Earth’s rotation called?
➢ Coriolis effect
Why do most storms form in tropical regions?
➢ Intense heat makes air unstable and cause air to rise rapidly
What is the 1st step of a tropical storm forming?
➢ A strong upward movement of air draws water vapour up from the warm ocean surface
What is the 2nd step of a tropical storm forming?
➢ Evaporated air cools as it rises and condenses to form towering thunderstorm clouds
What is the 3rd step of a tropical storm forming?
➢ As the air condenses it releases heat which powers the storm and draws up more and more water from the ocean
What is the 4th step of a tropical storm forming?
➢ The smaller thunderstorms join together to form a giant spinning storm, the Coriolis effect helps achieve the 120km per hour or 75mil pers hour the storm needs to become a tropical storm
What happens after the large spinning storm forms?
➢ The storm develops an eye at the center where air descends rapidly.
How is the storm carried across the ocean?
By the prevailing wind
