how do tropical storms form?

Question 1

what are the features of a tropical storm?

Answer 1

-travel from east to west
- circular in shape
- lifespan of 7-14 days

Question 2

what is the structure of a tropical storm?

Answer 2

the eye:
- 30 miles wide
- light wind
- no rainfall
- higher temperatures
(descending air in the centre of the storm, creating a high pressure area)

the eye wall:
- spiralling, rising air
- strong winds (100mph+)
- torrential rain
- much lower temperatures

rain bands:
- cloud formations created by the rapid evaporation of the ocean’s surface water. (low pressure)

Question 3

how do tropical storms develop?

Answer 3

1. sea temperatures must be at least 26.5 degrees celsius.
2. warm surface water rapidly evaporates and quickly cool and condenses, forming huge storm clouds (which stay intact due to low wind shear).
3. low pressure forms below the storm (due to so much evaporation), causing air to rush in from other areas, causing the wind speed to increase.
4. tropical storms start to spin as they become larger, as they’re affected by the coriolis effect.
5. the eye of the storm is being created, as cooler air will descend in the top of the storm to create the eye.
6. the tropical storm is much larger. as it travels across the ocean from east to west, further evaporation occurs, enlarging the storm and supplying it with energy, making it more powerful.
7. when a tropical storm reaches land, it loses its energy source, and so begins to fade away.

Question 4

what makes tropical storms hazardous?

Answer 4

• strong winds, heavy rainfall
• storm surges (can be over 5m in height)

Question 5

how does climate change affect the distribution of tropical storms?

Answer 5

global temperatures are expected to rise because of climate change, and this means that more sea temperatures will be above 27 degrees celsius. this means that more places in the world will experience tropical storms.

Question 6

how does climate change affect the frequency of tropical storms?

Answer 6

climate change also means that oceans will stay at 27 degrees celsius for longer around the year. this means that the tropical storm season will last longer, resulting in more tropical storms every year

Question 7

how does climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms?

Answer 7

predictions suggest that a 1 degree celsius rise in sea surface temperature equals a 3-5% increase in wind speed. this results in more intense, category 5 storms

Question 8

what are the primary and secondary effects of tropical storms?

Answer 8

primary:
- crops are damaged
- people are injured
- electricity lines fall
- coastal habitats are damaged

secondary:
- businesses lose income
- cholera outbreak

Question 9

what are the immediate and long-term responses of tropical storms?

Answer 9

immediate:
- evacuation of areas at risk
- providing emergency food and water supplies
- giving a televised warning to those in danger
- rescuing stranded people

long-term:
- installing a tropical storm warning system
- rebuilding damaged homes and businesses
- adapting buildings to be ‘storm proof’

Question 10

what are natural factors influencing the effects and responses to tropical storms:

Answer 10

• the intensity of the tropical storm
• the frequency of the tropical storm (countries may struggle to recover between each storm. or they may become more skilled in their response)
• experiencing multiple hazards (e.g. volcano, earthquake, then tropical storms)
• the relief of the land (low-lying areas are more at risk, due to storm surge flooding)

Question 11

what are human factors influencing the effects and responses to tropical storms:

Answer 11

• population density (a higher population density means the response could be slower, meaning the impact is worse)
• the level of development of the country (more developed countries are able to prepare for storms better, and are able to react more rapidly and more effectively)