Tropical Climates

Question 1

What is the inter-tropical convergence zone?

Answer 1

The ITCZ is the real equator. It is a belt of low pressure that is generally around the equator and is where the north and south trade winds meet.
It is exactly over the equator on the 21st March and then progresses north to the tropic of Cancer on the 21st June.
It then passes back over the equator on the 21st of September, then moves south to the tropic of Capricorn on the 21st December.

Question 2

What is differential heating?

Answer 2

How different things warm up at different rates. e.g: Water warms up more slowly that land so there would be lower pressure over land in summer but water cools more slowly so the pressure would be different lower over the sea.

Question 3

How does differential heating impact the weather?

Answer 3

In summer, land = warmer = lower pressure over land.
Moist air flows down the pressure gradient towards land and sending up in the air very rapidly because it is warmed. This causes the water to cool and condense, making clouds and monsoon rains in Asia.

Question 4

What conditions are necessary for a tropical revolving storm to form?

Answer 4

Ocean temperatures of above 27 celcius
Ocean depth of at least 70m
A location of at least 5 degrees north or south of the equator
Usually between 5 and 20 degrees north or south
Winds need to come together and meet in a low pressure zone
High altitude winds which causes an intense up draft

Question 5

Draw the structure of a tropical revolving storm and label what is going on.

Answer 5

Check the textbook.

Question 6

What are the requirements for a level 5 tropical revolving storm?

Answer 6

Central pressure of 920 mb or below
Wind speed at 69 metres per second
Storm surge at 5.5m or greater

Question 7

What are the main dangers in a tropical revolving storm?

Answer 7

Winds –> flying debris
Heavy rainfall –> flooding
Storm surges –> flooding and broken levees