Cyclones. Flashcards
What are the general characteristics of tropical cyclones?
Tropical cyclones bring violent weather conditions and cause great destruction.
How do tropical cyclones affect humans?
Strong winds destroy houses and electricity cables, and uproot trees. Huge waves created by the strong winds, can drown coastal towns and all the people in them.
Where do tropical cyclones occur?
Tropical cyclones occur between 30° N and 30° S latitude, and on the eastern side of continents, where warm ocean currents are.
In which direction do they travel?
East to West
What are tropical cyclones called in different parts of the world?
Hurricaines - N America
Typhoon - Japan/Asia
Willy Willy - Australia
What are the temperature, pressure and wind conditions necessary for a tropical cyclone to occur?
Tropical cyclones occur hot (27c), moist air; with a formation of an intense low pressure cell; and Coriolis force.
What time of year do tropical cyclones occur?
Late summer, early autumn.
What is latent heat and how does it affect tropical cyclones?
Latent heat is ‘hidden’ heat energy that is released when water vapour condenses, which provides energy need to sustain the cylone.
Explain the conditions in the tropical cyclone’s eye?
Low pressure sucks down the air, causing calm, cloudless conditions and warm air due to the adiabatic heating (temp change due to change in height and pressure)
How does a tropical cyclone start and develop?
Gale force winds start spiralling, worst weather is in forward left-hand quadrant.
