Hazardous Earth - Tropical cyclones

Question 1

Tropical cyclones only form where seawater temps are above how many degrees?

Answer 1

26.5C - this limits where and when they occur

Question 2

Where do tropical cyclones take place

Answer 2

They occur in the tropics - between 5 and 30 degree latitude

Question 3

what times of year do they take place

Answer 3

They happen in summer and late autumn when seawater is warmest

Question 4

Name 3 characteristics of tropical cyclones

Answer 4

a(1) low pressure - very wet moist air rises, sucking up more air behind it
(2) Rotation - the Earth’s spin (Coriolis force) helps rising wind to spiral and drags in strong winds (not much spin at equator)
(3) Structure - they form a cylinder of rising, spiralling air surrounding an eye of descending, high pressure air

Question 5

How big can cyclones get

Answer 5

They can be up to 640k wide and 10k high

Question 6

After starting in the tropics, do cyclones head east or west

Answer 6

They move west because winds blow from the east around the equator, and they spin away from the equator.
Sometimes they meet a belt of winds blowing from the west which makes them change direction