Tropical Storms Flashcards
Where do tropical storms form
5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator
Why do tropical storms form where they do?
Because it provides an area of intense low pressure so that warm, moist air is able to rise rapidly to reach high altitudes
What is the sequence of tropical storms
- Air is heated above warm tropical oceans
- Warm air rises quickly under low-pressure course conditions
- Strong winds as rising air draws up more air and moisture
- Rising air spins around a calm central eye of the storm due to the Coriolanus effect
- Rising air condenses, forming large cumulonimbus clouds and rainfall
- Heat is given off as it cools, powering storm
- Cold air sinks in eye
- Tropical storms travel across ocean with prevailing winds
- On meeting land loss of heat, moisture and friction with the land so storm loses power
Where do storms track when they hit land?
North in the northern hemisphere
South in the Southern Hemisphere
Which way to tropical storms spin?
Anit-clockwise in northern hemisphere and clockwise in Southern Hemisphere.
How do low latitudes cause a tropical storm
Temps are higher than here at the poles so the sea and air are heated more quickly to higher temps air pressure is low and air rises
Between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator help storms to form
The coriolis effect is strong enough for tropical storms to spin
How does
Originate in oceans with temps 27 degrees or above
Ocean depth of 60-70m
Help tropical storms form
Provides heat and moisture so warm air rises rapidly
Between summer and autumn help a storm to form
Typically the warmest seasons to encourage warmer air to rise rapidly on account of. Low pressure
Low wind shear help tropical storms form
Wind is constant and doesn’t vary with height so clouds rise to high altitudes without being torn apart
Structure of a tropical storm
1.Temp falls 2.Air pressure falls 3.Period of calm
Air pressure falls Cumulonimbus cloud Warmer temp
Clouds form Heavy rainfall No wind/ rain
Windy Wind increases
- Temp falls 5. Temp rises
Air pressure rises air pressure
Heavy rainfall Rainfall/ wind subsides
Wind
How might climate change the affects of tropical storms
Sea temps increase make category 4 and 5 storms to increase
How can the effects of tropical storms be reduced?
Monitoring
Satellites monitor cloud patterns
NASA monitors weather patterns
How can the effects of tropical storms be reduced?
Protection
Reinforce buildings
Develop flood defences
Create ‘no build zones’ in low lying areas
How can the effects of tropical storms be reduced?
Prediction
Supercomputers can give 5 days warning
Track forecast comes can plot the path
