Tropical Cyclones Flashcards
How do tropical cyclones form?
warm air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds. These clouds turn into a storm and the warm water fuels the storm to make it stronger
Tropical storms only form between how many degrees North and South of the Equator?
5-30 degrees
If a tropical cyclone develops in the Southern Hemisphere, what direction will it blow?
South Westerly
If a tropical cyclone develops in the Northern Hemisphere, what direction will it blow?
North Westerly
What do warm waters do to tropical cyclones?
Make them stronger
What properties of a cyclone does the Saffir Simpson scale measure?
Wind speed
Storm surge
Pressure
Damage level
What is a tropical cyclone’s source region?
warm waters
How hot does the ocean have to be for a tropical cyclone to develop?
26 degrees or above
What is the coriolis force?
the force which causes a cyclone to spin
what impacts can landslides have?
people: can cause mass destruction and harm
environment: soil can block rivers causing them to flood
what impacts can high winds have?
people: flying debris can kill people
environment: trees can be uprooted and blown over
What impacts can storm surges have?
people: coastal properties can be damaged/flooded
environment: beaches can be eroded and salt water can contaminate farmland and freshwater lakes
how is weather forecasting a good way to prepare for a cyclone?
people can be made aware through TV and radio about any upcoming storms
how is satellite technology a good way to prepare for a cyclone?
mobile phone alerts can be sent out around a large area. This is especially good for the USA who have such a high mobile phone ownership with 103 phones per 100 people.
how is warning systems a good way to prepare for a cyclone?
any weather issues can be detected by places like the National Hurricane Centre or leaflets and posters can be handed out to warn people
