Formation and Structure of tropical storms

Question 1

How do tropical storms form?

Answer 1

Rapid rates of Evaporation transfer huge quantities of warm water vapor into the air. This rises in unstable conditions and cooling and condensing to form thunder clouds. Several thunderstorms may join together (coalesce) to form a tropical storm

Question 2

What happens as the storm heads towards land?

Answer 2

It gathers strength as the prevailing winds push it towards land

Question 3

What happens when it reaches land?

Answer 3

The storms energy supply (evaporated water) is cut off. Friction with land slows it down and weakens it.

Question 4

What is the Saffir-simpson scale?

Answer 4

A scale used to describe the strength of a hurricane

Question 5

What is the eye of a storm?

Answer 5

The centre where air descends rapidly causing ‘calm’ conditions

Question 6

What is the eye wall?

Answer 6

The outer edge of a storm, with most intense conditions.
Towering Cumulonimbus thunder clouds up to 15 km
Tornadoes can form here

Question 7

True or false - Tropical storms move very fast

Answer 7

FALSE - They move very slow

Question 8

What are some affects of Tropical storms

Answer 8

Lots of destruction
Lots of deaths
High rainfall causing floods or landslides
Storm surges