causes of tropical storms

Question 1

what things are needed for the formation of tropical storms?

Answer 1

• ocean depth of 60-70m
• sea temp above 27 degrees Celsius
• low wind shear
• not along the equator

Question 2

what happens when a storm makes landfall and why?

Answer 2

it dies out because it loses its energy source

Question 3

formation of a tropical storm:

Answer 3

• suns solar radiation warms oceans to 27 degrees Celsius
• this causes moist air to rise, giving low pressure at the centre of the storm
• this air cools as it rises, causing condensation, clouds to form, rainfall
• some cooled air sinks, creating the eye
• air rushes in from high pressure areas outside the storm to low pressure areas inside the storm, creating winds
• the whole storm rotates due to the earth’s spin

Question 4

why is an ocean depth of 60-70m and a sea temp of about 27 degrees celsius needed for the formation of a tropical storm

Answer 4

the provides the heat and moisture that causes the air to rise rapidly -> latent heat is radiated which powers the storm

Question 5

why is low wind shear needed for the creation of tropical storms

Answer 5

winds which remain constant and do not vary with height - allow the tropical storms to rise to high levels without being torn apart

Question 6

why can tropical storms not form around equator

Answer 6

at equator the coriolis effect is not strong enough here for tropical storms to spin