tropical cyclones Flashcards
what are hurricanes?
intense low pressure systems that develop in the tropics
what is the diameter?
200-700km
how are they caused?
an area of low pressure is created through rising water of ocean and sinking cold air, warm air is drawn in a spiralling manner, enlarging into tropical depressions that spin at a much intense rate
what temp does the ocean have to be?
27c
how deep does the ocean have to be?
at least 70m
how far from the equator do they develop?
5-20 degrees north or south
why can they not develop at the equator?
the Coriolis force is weaker at the equator and will stop the circular air flow from developing
what is used as energy?
latent heat and moisture
what is the diameter of the centre eye?
10-15km
what is it like in the eye?
there are calm conditions, clear skies and higher temperatures
how fast does win move around the eye?
300km an hour
how is a cyclone stopped?
when it runs out of latent heat and moisture, for example travelling across land
wich direction do they tend to move?
westwards
what percent of hurricanes do the Caribbean and gulf of Mexico get a year?
11%
who long do they normally last?
7-14 days
