Tropical storms

Question 1

Coriolis effect

Answer 1

an apparent force, due to the spinning of the earth which deflects movement of particles and wind

Question 2

Global atmospheric circulation model

Answer 2

• global atmospheric model is the large scale movement of air
• explains the location of the world climate zones and the distribution of weather hazards

Question 3

global distribution of tropical storms

Answer 3

• between 5-30 degrees north or south of the equator (Coriolis effect)
• located where sea temperatures are above 26.5-27 degrees

Question 4

structure of tropical storms

Answer 4

• between 482-644km wide and 6-8km high
• the eye is 38-48km across
• large cumulonimbus clouds surround the eye

Question 5

how might climate change affect the frequency of tropical storms

Answer 5

• they are expected to remain the same or decrease slightly

- the pattern over the years has increased but it can still be erratic

Question 6

how might climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms

Answer 6

they are likely to increase by 2-11% by 2100 due to greater warming of the oceans

Question 7

how might climate change affect the distribution of tropical storms

Answer 7

the regions where tropical storms are experienced are not expected to change significantly unless the oceans are above 26.5 degrees

Question 8

tropical storm Haiyan facts

Answer 8

• started in western pacific between 6-7 degrees north of the equator
• hit the Philippines on 8th November 2013 at 4:30am local time
• 5 on saffir-simpson scale in central Philippines
• moved in a north-westerly direction
• also hit China and Vietnam

Question 9

Haiyan immediate responses

Answer 9

• satellite phones were given out so people could trace the missing
• sick people were treated on the spot or evacuated to neighbouring provinces
• charities such as red cross distributed food, water and blankets

Question 10

Haiyan long term responses

Answer 10

• Build Back Better
• government pledged to build 250,000 new homes
• creation of “no dwelling zones” and relocating people

Question 11

Monitoring

Answer 11

• satellites monitor classic cloud pattern associated with tropical storms - saves lives and reduces damage
• aircrafts can now fly through tropical storms to collect wind speed data, air pressure and rainfall

Question 12

Prediction

Answer 12

-weather data is fed into supercomputers which predict the path and intensity. they can give up to 5 days’ warning

Question 13

protection

Answer 13

• salt marshes, wetlands and landgroves reduces the waves energy during storm surges which help protect against them
• population reduces long term risk to life and property (mitigation)

Question 14

planning

Answer 14

• preparing grab bag
• having fuel in vehicles
• knowing where evacuation shelters are

Question 15

Formation of tropical storms

Answer 15

1. Sun warms ocean
2. 27 degrees + needed
3. Cause warm moist air to rise, then cool and condenses to form clouds and rain
4. Some cooled air sinks back down creating a eye
5. Air rushes from high to low pressure creating winds which rotate due to the spin of the earth

Question 16

primary effects of typhoon haiyan

Answer 16

• storm surges
• 3 massive waves
• destroyed homes
• 3000 deaths

Question 17

secondary effects of typhoon haiyan

Answer 17

• oil leak
• no electricity and phone lines
• stampede
• increased death toll - 6000 people

Question 18

tropical storm

Answer 18

an intense low pressure weather system with heavy rain and strong spiralling winds

Question 19

low pressure

Answer 19

A mass of rising warm air that usually brings wet, stormy weather.

Question 20

high pressure

Answer 20

A mass of sinking cool air that usually brings fair weather

Question 21

conditions of eye in the tropical storm

Answer 21

• low pressure

- calm conditions