Tropical Storms

Question 1

Global distribution of tropical storms (7)

Answer 1

. In the Pacific Ocean
. Storms move clockwise in the north of the equator
. Storms move anti clockwise in the south of the equator
. In the tropics
. Temperature of the ocean of 27 degrees
. Coriolis effet in the weak by the equator
. Atlantic hurricanes- form of the west coast of Africa, they track Westwoods, then north woods then northeast woods due to earths rotation

Question 2

Tropical revolving storms

Answer 2

Stage 1:
. Intense warming in tropics from overhead sun lead to evaporation and uplift of warm moist air( convection)
Stage 2:
. Areas of low atmospheric pressure forms, where winds sweep over warm ocean surface to replace rising air (ITCZ)
. This warm moist air rises, cools and condensed forming thunderstorms, clouds and heavy rain releasing latent heat helping to drive uplift
Stage 3:
. the earths rotation (Coriolis effect) create swirling winds forming central eye (30-50km)
. Once storm reaches land ( landfall) they decline in strength, this due to loss of moisture (warm oceans)

Average life is 7 to 14 days

Question 3

Storm hazards (3)

Answer 3

Landslides- soil becoming heavy when wet

Storm surges- large rise in sea level caused by low pressure and high winds

Flooding- storm surges and heavy rainfall

Question 4

Saffir simpson (measure magnitude )

Answer 4

. Category 1-5 of wind and damage
. Tropical storms that are higher in magnitude are thought to be increasing in frequency
. Tropical storms are irregular and te route taken is dependent on the storm
. Tropical storms form away from the land so satellite tracking is put into place