Tropical Storms Flashcards
What does the sea temperature have to be for a tropical storm to form
27 degrees
How deep does the ocean have to be
At least 70m
What makes a powerful storm
Warm moist air evaporates and condensation occurs which release huge amounts of energy
What increase surface winds
The rising air creates low pressure which increase surface winds
Air moves from area of high pressure to low pressure
Why do tropical storms move counter clockwise
Because of easterly winds
What causes the storm to spin
Earth rotating
What makes the storm stronger
If it stays over water and wind speed increases
Where do tropical storms occur
Between 5 degrees and 20 degrees north and south of the equator
Where do storms tend to move once they form
Westwards
What percentage of storms form in north west and north east Australia
20%
When is the tropical cyclone season in the northern tropics
Between June and November
When is the cyclone season in the southern tropics
Between November and April
How do we categories tropical storms
Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale
What is the issue with the saffir Simpson scale
Only predicts damage from wind speed
Doesn’t predict damage from storm surge
What is the sequence of a tropical storm
Air is heated above warm tropical oceans
Air rises and condenses forming clouds which releases energy increasing wind speed
Rising air draws in more air and moisture causing rain
Air spins due to Coriolis effect
Outflow of moisture laden air causes wide cloud cover
Finally landfall - loses source of heat and moisture so loses power
