Tropical Revolving Storms Flashcards
What is a Typhoon?
A TRS over the Western Pacific
What is a TRS?
A violent but organised revolving low pressure system consisting of clouds and thunderstorms
How big can TRS grow?
200-700km in Diameter
Where are TRS winds strongest and weakest? And describe the speeds in these areas
Strongest: Just outside of the eye (300kmh)
Weakest: The eye - very calm here
What type of climate does a TRS form over?
Tropical
What are the 5 requirements for a TRS to form?(* means Celsius)
1) Sea Temperature must be at least 27 Celsius
2) Seas must be at least 70m deep
3) A cluster of nearby thunderstorms, so they come together to one
4) Must be 5-20latitude so coriolus effect can be maximised
5) Weak high altitude winds so the TRS isn’t torn apart
When is the season for the ocean to be warm enough?
Summer-Autumn (June 1st-November 30th)
Explain step 1/4 of a TRS formation
Oceans contain the heated water that will be used to constantly aid the warm clouds formation
Explain step 2/4 of a TRS formation
The coriolus effect (spinning w > e)will mean that the storm will rise up into the atmosphere in the opposite, anti-clockwise direction
Explain step 3/4 of a TRS formation
It must be 5-20 latitude so that there is enough wind for it to gain speed (at equator is ITCZ where there is no wind)
Explain step 4/4 of TRS formation
The cluster of depressions will come together into one, they have to be close enough for this to occur
What is a Hurricane?
A TRS in the Atlantic and East Pacific
How fast do TRS move across the atmosphere?
VERY slow: 9-15mph
What is a Cyclone?
A TRS Indian Ocean and Australia
What is the Saffir-Simpson scale?
The scale used to measure the speed of the sustained winds of a hurricane
