Natural Hazards. Weather, tropical storms. Flashcards
What is the definition of the global atmospheric circulation?
The movement of air around the planet.
How does low air pressure work?
As air warms it ascends, leading to low pressure at the surface.
How does high air pressure work?
As air cools it descends, leading to high pressure at the surface.
How does the Global atmospheric circulation influence the location of certain biomes?
Global atmospheric circulation creates winds across the planet as air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
What is a tropical storm?
A tropical storm is a very powerful low-pressure weather system.
What are the key features of a Tropical storm?
Strong winds and heavy rainfall that can be disruptive and dangerous.
Describe the distributions of tropical storms.
As tropical storms require warm oceans, they are normally found in tropical regions between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator where the water is warmest. They usually form in the late summer when sea temperatures are at their highest.
What factors are needed for the formation of tropical storms?
- High sea temperatures of at least 27°C.
- Converging winds near the ocean surface forcing air to rise and form storm clouds.
- Winds that do not vary greatly with height known as low wind shear.
How do tropical storms form?
As the warm air rises it leaves a space below it called an area of low pressure. As it rises, it cools, condenses and forms clouds.
