global distribution of tropical storms Flashcards
what is a tropical storm?
- a meteorological natural hazard.
- low pressure, rotating weather hazard (warm air rises, cools, condenses to form clouds. rotates due to the coriolis effect on our planet)
- up to 6 miles in height, up to 400 miles wide. travelling speed: 10-15 mph.
what is the relationship between tropical storms and the general atmospheric circulation model?
most of the Sun’s solar radiation is concentrated between the two tropics, heating the sea temperatures to the adequate temperature for a tropical storm to form. therefore more tropical storms will form between the two tropics (around the equator).
what are tropical storms called in different areas of the world?
usa and caribbean: hurricanes
south-east asia and australia: cyclones
phillipines and japan: typhoons
why are tropical storms so hazardous?
- between 80-100 storms each year, in certain areas of the world.
- incredibly hazardous because of their strong winds (14 - over 156 mph - anything over 156 is a category 5 storm).
- high rainfall (up to 250mm in one day).
- can cause storm surges, where the strong winds bring sea water to the coastline, flooding the coastline.
- can create tornadoes on land.
where are tropical storms formed?
- only form over oceans. the sea temp. must be approx. 26.5 degrees celsius, and must be a depth of over 70m.
- between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator (mainly between the tropics).
- rarely form within 5 degrees of the equator.
- greater concentration of tropical storms in the northern hemisphere.
how can the sun’s energy induce tropical storms?
more concentrated between the tropics. heats the ocean to 26.5 degrees celsius, and heat and moisture are available for rapid evaporation. warm air rises, cools, and condenses, forming storm clouds (low pressure).
how can low wind shear induce tropical storms?
the wind in these areas are constant and stable, allowing tropical storms to form without being torn apart.
how can the coriolis effect prevent tropical storms?
as the Earth rotates, it causes wind to bend, causing tropical storms to spin. the coriolis effect is weak over the equator, meaning that tropical storms are unable to spin.
