Tropical storms Flashcards
Tropical storms
are intense low-pressure weather systems with heavy rain and strong winds that spiral around the centre. When they reach land or cooler water, they lose strength. Since they lose heat and moisture and there is more friction.
Conditions for formation of tropical storm
- sea temperature is 27 degrees or higher and 60m deep
- wind shear is low
Spinning of the tropical storm
They spin anti clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
Eye
The center of the storm. It is up to 50km across and is caused by descending air. There is low pressure, no clouds, no rain and a high temperature.
Eyewall
The eye is surrounded by eyewall, where there’s spiraling rising air, very strong winds, storm clouds, rain and low temperature.
Edges of the storm
The wind speed falls, the clouds become smaller, the rain becomes less intense, the temperature increases.
How climate change can affect tropical storms
- global temperatures are expected to rise as a result of global warming
- this means more of the oceans could be above 27 degrees
- more places in the world may experience tropical storms
- oceans will stay at 27 degrees more often
- higher temperatures means tropical storms will be stronger
The primary effects of tropical storms
- buildings and bridges are destroyed
- rivers and coastal areas flood
- people drown, injured or killed by debris
- roads, railways, ports, airports are damaged
- water contamination by salt water from ocean
Secondary effects of tropical storms
- people are left homeless, causes poverty, illnesses
- lack of clean water and sanitary services-diseases spread faster
- roads are blocked so emergency services cannot rescue people
- unemployement
- shortages of food, since destroyed crops, and blocked roads
Immediate responses to tropical storm
Happen when a storm is forecast to hit an area and immediately afterwards.
- evacuate people
- rescue people which has been cut off by floods
- treat injured people
- provide shelter, food and water
- recover dead bodies to prevent the spread of diseases
Long-term responses to tropical storm
- repair homes or move them to different area
- repair damaged infrastructure
- repair and improve flood defense systems
- improve forecast techniques
- strengthen the homes
- promote economic recovery, tax breaks
Prediction of tropical storms
- use data from radar, satellites, planes to monitor storms. Calculating a predicted path for the storm
- warn people where and when the tropical storm is going to happen. Gives people time to evacuate and protect their homes.
Planning to reduce the impacts of tropical storms
- future development, avoid building houses in the areas most at risk
- emergency services can train and prepare for disaster
- government can plan evacuation routes to get people away quickly
Protection against tropical storms
- buildings can be build to withstand tropical storms, using reinforced concrete
- flood defences build along rivers, coasts
- this reduces the number of building destroyed, so fewer people will be injured or killed
Hurricanes location
In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Typhoons location
In the west of the Northen Pacific Ocean.
Cyclones location
Indian and South Pacific Ocean.
Location of tropical storms
Found in areas of low latitude, between 5 degrees and 30 degrees north and south of the Equator.
Why does not tropical storm develop along the equator?
Because the Coriolis effect is not strong enough here for the tropical storm to spin.
The hot rising air…
draws up more air and large volumes of moisture from ocean, causing strong winds.
The Coriolis effect causes the air to…..
spin upwards around a calm central eye.
As the air rises, it cools and…
condenses to form large, towering cumulonimbus clouds.
Cumulonimbus clouds generate…
torrential rainfall.
The heat is given off when the air…
cools powers the tropical storm.
The tropical storms travel across the ocean in the…
prevailing wind.
Tropical storms travel from…
east to west due to the direction in which the Earth spins. When they hit a land, the change in the direction is unknown.
Tropical storms in northern hemisphere track…(over land)
north.
Tropical storms in southern hemisphere track…(over land)
south.
Wind category 1
- 119-153 km/h
- some damage to the roof
- shallowly rooted trees may be toppled
- extensive damage to power lines
Wind category 2
- 154-177 km/h
- well constructed houses could sustain major roof and siding damage
- many shallowly rooted trees will be toppled
- near-total power loss
Wind category 3
- 178-208 km/h
- well constructed homes will incur damage or removal of the roof
- topped trees block roads
Wind category 4
- 209-251 km/h
- well constructed homes will sustain a severe damage, with loss of some exterior walls
- most trees will be topped
Wind category 5
- more than 252 km/h
- a high percentage of homes will be destroyed, with wall failure
- topped trees will isolate residential areas
