HK climatology

Question 1

Climate zone

Answer 1

Subtropical

Question 2

summer monsoon

Answer 2

In summer, the air over the Asian land mass heats up faster than that over the ocean. This creates a pressure difference and brings a southwest wind from the ocean towards the land.

Question 3

Winter monsoon

Answer 3

The air over the Asian land mass cools down faster than that over the ocean. The resulting pressure difference brings a northeast monsoon from the land towards the ocean.

Question 4

Tropical cyclone

Answer 4

a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center

western North Pacific: typhoon
North Atlantic: hurricane
North Indian Ocean: cyclone

Question 5

Tropical Cyclone Classification

Answer 5

Tropical Depression (TD)	<63 km/hr
Tropical Storm (TS)	63-87
Severe Tropical Storm (STS)	88-117
Typhoon (T)	118-149
Severe Typhoon (ST)*	150-184
Super Typhoon (SuperT)*185 or above

Question 6

How does a typhoon form

Answer 6

The process begins when the surface of the ocean heats up. Air from surrounding areas with higher air pressure pushes in to the low pressure area.

The wind begins to spiral (counterclockwise) toward a center of low pressure, drawing moisture to the center, which forms the eye. When the storm becomes organized, it develops into a tropical depression. Once wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour, it becomes a tropical storm.The eye of low pressure develops, and the storm begins to rotate and gain in strength. The storm becomes a typhoon when it reaches wind speeds of 74 miles per hour.

Question 7

Requirements for tropical cyclone

Answer 7

1. sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures (26.5C)
2. atmospheric instability,
3. high humidity in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere,
4. enough Coriolis force to develop a low pressure center by spiralling (can’t be too close to equator)
5. a pre-existing low level focus or disturbance,
6. low vertical wind shear.

Question 8

Where are most of the typhoons formed

Answer 8

Northwest Pacific Ocean