PATH OF TROPICAL CYCLONE Flashcards
What determines the path of a tropical cyclone?
The Coriolis force, easterly trade winds, westerly winds, and upper-level atmospheric troughs influence the path.
Why do tropical cyclones initially move westward?
They form in low latitudes, where easterly trade winds push them westward.
At what latitude do tropical cyclones typically start curving northward?
Around 20° latitude, due to increasing influence of the Coriolis force.
Why do cyclones turn eastward after reaching mid-latitudes?
They are caught by the westerlies, which steer them eastward.
What is the parabolic path of a tropical cyclone?
Cyclones follow a curved path, moving westward, then northward, and finally eastward.
What is the steering mechanism of tropical cyclones?
Large-scale winds in the atmosphere, including trade winds and westerlies, guide cyclone movement.
How do high-pressure systems affect the path of tropical cyclones?
High-pressure areas act as barriers, forcing cyclones to move around them.
What happens when a tropical cyclone encounters a low-pressure trough?
The trough enhances northward movement, sometimes leading to rapid intensification.
Why do tropical cyclones sometimes stall near coastlines?
Weak prevailing winds or a subtropical high-pressure system can slow their movement.
What is the Fujiwhara effect, and how does it influence cyclone paths?
When two cyclones come close together, they start rotating around a common center and may merge.
Why do cyclones weaken when moving over land?
They lose access to warm ocean water, which fuels their energy.
How do mountain ranges influence a cyclone’s path?
Mountains can disrupt airflow, causing the cyclone to weaken or change direction.
How does the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) influence cyclone paths?
Cyclones form near the ITCZ and are guided by its seasonal shifts.
Why do cyclones sometimes take unusual paths?
El Niño, La Niña, and upper-level atmospheric conditions can alter their normal trajectories.
Why do cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere move in the opposite direction?
Due to the Coriolis force, Southern Hemisphere cyclones rotate clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
What happens when a cyclone crosses the equator?
It loses its rotation because the Coriolis force is zero at the equator.
How does climate change impact the path of tropical cyclones?
Warming oceans may cause cyclones to form at higher latitudes and shift their traditional paths.
Why do cyclones sometimes recurve back toward the ocean?
If they encounter strong westerlies before landfall, they may move away from land.
What happens when a tropical cyclone enters a jet stream?
The jet stream can accelerate its movement and sometimes transform it into an extratropical cyclone.
What is the role of subtropical highs in guiding cyclone paths?
Subtropical highs can block or steer a cyclone, affecting where it makes landfall.
