Tropical storms hazards Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a tropical storm?

A

A powerful low-pressure weather system that forms in tropical regions.

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2
Q

Describe the spatial distribution of tropical storms.

A

-Tropical storms are mostly clustered between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, at least 5 degrees north away from the equator.
- In North America and East Asia, there is a high frequency of tropical storms.
- In Africa there are very few tropical storms.

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3
Q

Describe the temporal distribution of tropical storms.

A

In the Gulf of Mexico (the Caribbean Sea) the worst hurricanes occur during the summer months of August, September and October.

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4
Q

What are the conditions needed to create tropical storms?

A
  1. Ocean temperature
  2. Ocean moisture, latent heat and depth
  3. Coriolis effect - Earth’s spin
  4. Atmospheric instability
  5. Winds
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5
Q

Why are ocean temperatures important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

A 27 degrees celsius water body provides a continuous source of heat so rising air currents can be maintained.

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6
Q

Why is ocean moisture important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

The required moisture for the formation of tropical storm to exist is gained through the evaporation of the ocean surface.

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7
Q

Why is latent heat important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

As the warm air rises, cools and condenses latent heat is released which adds energy to the storm.

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8
Q

Why is the ocean depth important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

The ocean depth must be at least 70m deep to provide a constant evaporation.

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9
Q

What is the coriolis effect?

A

The influence of the earth’s rotation on its surface.

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10
Q

Why is the coriolis effect (the earth’s spin) important in the creations of tropical storms?

A

At the equator, a circular air flow is prevented from developing since the coriolis effect increases with distance from the equator. This means that tropical storms don’t form at the equator.

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11
Q

Why is atmospheric instability (ITCZ) important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

Tropical storms are most likely to form in regions of intense atmospheric instability.

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12
Q

When does an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) form?

A

When two hadley cells converge to form low pressure on the ground.

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13
Q

Why is wind important in the creation of tropical storms?

A

A light wind shear (uniform wind direction at all levels blowing)m allows the storm to intensify and grow in height.

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14
Q

How does a tropical storm form?

A
  1. Water evaporates from the ocean surface and comes into contact with a mass of cold air
  2. Clouds form when the water vapour condenses
  3. A column of low pressure develops at the centre
  4. Winds form around the column
  5. As pressure in the central column weakens, the speed of the wind around it increases.
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15
Q

What are the three main hazards of tropical storms?

A
  • High winds
  • Heavy rainfall
  • Storm surge
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16
Q

Describe the tropical storm hazard of high winds.

A
  • Can last for several hours
  • Wind gusts can be much higher than sustained winds
  • Once it enters infrastructure, it will force its way out.
17
Q

Describe the tropical storm hazard of heavy rainfall.

A
  • Quickly overwhelms drainage systems and streambeds
18
Q
A