TROPICAL STORMS Flashcards
what is a tropical storm
intense weather systems that develop in the tropics
what are the key conditions for tropical storms to form
oceanic location
sea temperatures above 27 degrees C
ocean depth of at least 70m
how deep does the ocean need to be
at least 70 m
what does the sea temp need to be for a storm to form
above 27 degrees c
what is the global distribution of tropical storms
occur between 5 and 20 degrees north and south of the equator
how are tropical storms measured
saffir - simpson scale
5 point scale based on central pressure
how long is the average lifespan of a tropical storm
7-14 days
what are some human factors making people more vulnerable
- high population density
- lack of warnings
-lack of aid
- heavy building materials
- cant evacuate
what human factors will make people less vulnerable
- good communications and less warnings
- study buildings materials
- strong economy
- means to move inland
- low population density
- aid available
physical factors making people more vulnerable to a tropical storm
- coastline location
- storm path not a predicted
- low lying land
- high wind speeds
- high storm surge
-funnel shaped bays
physical factors making people less vulnerable
-higher ground
- storm path as predicted
- low wind speeds
- cold air joins the storm
what are 3 characteristics of a storm
-
- storm surges - flooding
surges of high water - around 3m
floods low lying land
damages agricultural land with salt water
- heavy rainfall - flooding and landslides
torrential rain storm causes flash flooding
90% of landlines are year are caused by heavy rainfall
how much rainfall can fall in just a few hours
200mm
what are the average wind speeds
75mph
examples of preparedness
- making sure people living in high risk areas are aware of potential danger
- education
- government instructions of what to do before during and after a storm
example pf preparedness in Florida
shelters are sign posted
families are encouraged to have a plan
what is mitigation.
actions taken to reduce the severity of the event
examples of mitigation
structural responses
disaster aid
insurance
what is prevention
actions aimed at preventing large scale events from starting
is prevention possible for tropical storms
scientists have tried but it isn’t possible
what is adaption
natural hazards are inevitable and behaviour should adapt accordingly
