tropical storms

Question 1

what are tropical storms?

Answer 1

intense low pressure weather systems with heavy rain and strong winds that spiral around the centre

Question 2

where are tropical storms usually found?

Answer 2

the tropics (mainly ITCZ)
usually in area of low latitude between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator

Question 3

tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean

Answer 3

• hurricane
• august -> October
• west then NW then NE
• 1-2.9 per year

Question 4

tropical storms in the Indian Ocean

Answer 4

• cyclone
• December -> march
• direction varies depending on hemisphere
• frequency varies depending on hemisphere

Question 5

tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean

Answer 5

• cyclone
• may -> December in west pacific
• direction varies
• > 3 frequency in west pacific

Question 6

what direction do storms spin in northern hemisphere?

Answer 6

anti-clockwise

Question 7

what direction do storms spin in southern hemisphere?

Answer 7

clockwise

Question 8

how do we categorise storms?

Answer 8

Saffir Simpson scale
1-5, with 5 being most serious

Question 9

what is monitoring and prediction

Answer 9

tracking the course of tropical storm using improved technology, allowing scientists to determine what course the storm is taking

Question 10

what is planning

Answer 10

raising community and individual awareness to reduce the affect of tropical storms

Question 11

what is protection

Answer 11

designing buildings that will withstand tropical storms

Question 12

how does monitoring reduce the impact of tropical storms

Answer 12

• allows time for evacuation which reduced number of deaths and injuries
• people can protect their homes and businesses from strong winds and flooding

Question 13

examples of monitoring tropical storms

Answer 13

satellites monitor cloud patterns associated with tropical storms

Question 14

how does predicting tropical storms reduce the impact of them

Answer 14

allows time for evacuation, reducing the number of deaths and injuries

Question 15

examples of predicting tropical storms

Answer 15

supercomputers give 5 days warning and predict a location within 400km

Question 16

how does protection reduce the impact of tropical storms

Answer 16

stops building collapsing onto of people

Question 17

examples of protection against tropical storms

Answer 17

• reinforce building
• develop coastal flood defences
• create ‘no-build zones’ in low-lying areas

Question 18

how does planning reduce impact of tropical storms

Answer 18

reduces damage

Question 19

example of planning against tropical storms

Answer 19

• disaster supply kit
• ensure vehicles are fully fuelled
• know where evacuation centres are

Question 20

what is the centre of the storm called

Answer 20

the eye

Question 21

how big is the eye of the storm

Answer 21

up to 50km across

Question 22

what is the eye of the storm caused by

Answer 22

descending air

Question 23

what is the weather like in the eye of the storm

Answer 23

• very low pressure
• light winds
• no clouds
• no rain
• high temperature

Question 24

what is the eye surrounded by

Answer 24

the eye wall

Question 25

what is the weather like in the eye wall

Answer 25

• there’s spiralling rising air
• very strong winds (around 160km per hour)
• storm clouds
• torrential rain
• low temperature

Question 26

what is the storm like towards the edges

Answer 26

• wind speed falls
• clouds become smaller and more scattered
• rain becomes less intense
• temperature increases

Question 27

how is the weather likely to change as the storm passes over a place, for example a tiny caribbean island

Answer 27

1) temp falls, becomes more cloudy and windy, air pressure falls
2) air pressure falls, heavy rainfall, wind
3) calm, temp warms, no wind or rain (eye of the storm)
4) air pressure rises, temp falls, heavy rainfall and wind
5) temp and air pressure rises, rain and wind subsides