Cyclones

Question 1

What is a Tropical Storm?

Answer 1

Tropical storms are also known as hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones. They are huge storms that form between the tropics.

Question 2

Describe the global distribution of Tropical Storms

Answer 2

In a band around the equator

Between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer

Rare in the South Atlantic

Question 3

Why do Tropical Storms form between the Tropics?

Answer 3

• The ocean temperatures are warm enough (27°C)
• There is enough intense heating of the ocean to cause warm air to rise rapidly.
• They don’t form directly over the equator as there isn’t enough of an impact of the earth’s rotation to cause the storm to spin so they form 5°-15° north and south of the equator.

Question 4

What are storms in the North Atlantic known as?

Answer 4

Hurricanes

Question 5

What are storms in South East Asia and Australia known as?

Answer 5

Cyclones

Question 6

What are storms near Japan and the Philippines known as?

Answer 6

Typhoons

Question 7

What are the conditions needed for a Tropical Storm to form?

Answer 7

Warm water (above 27C)
Deep water
Within the tropical zone
No jet stream present

Question 8

What is the force that causes these storms to spin?

Answer 8

The Coriolis Force (is caused by the Earth’s rotation)

Question 9

How wide can Tropical Storms be?

Answer 9

Up to 300km

Question 10

What are the conditions like in the eye of the storm?

Answer 10

Calm, very high pressure, barely any wind