Why do we have weather extremes Flashcards
What are tropical storms?
Extremely hazardous cyclones hurricanes or typhoon and are measured using the saffir simpson scale Winds that exceed 118kmph.
Form at around 5-15 degrees north and south of the equator
What happens in summer and autumn
Tropical storm wise
Ocean temperatures are highest(above 26.6degrees)
Two hadley cells meet causing hot humid unstable air to rise condense and form storm clouds
What is the coriolis effect
The earths rotation deflects the direction of the wind to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
What are potential hazards of tropical storms?
Strong winds: destroy trees power lines and buildings
Storm surges:abnormally high sea levels because of low air pressure
Intense rainfall
Coastal flooding
Landslides
How do tropical storms develop?
Rising air draws huge quantites of evaporated water vapour.
This then cools and condenses forming clouds
As it condenses, it releases heat which powers storms and draws more water vapour
Coriolis effect makes it go faster
Prevailing winds move the storm over
What are droughts?
Long periods of low precipitation leading to water shortages
What are droughts linked to
Long periods of high pressure
What are the causes of el nino
Weaker trade winds every 3-7 years which causes the increase of sea temp in the eastern pacific
What are the causes for La nina
Stronger trade winds decrease sea temp in the eastern pacific every 3-5 years
What are the consequences of El nino
Changes to world precipitation patterns
More tropical storms in the pacific
Less tropical storms in the atlantic
More droughts in asia
What are the consequences of La nina
Changes in world precipiations patterns
Weaker tropical storms in the pacififc
Droughts in south america
Stronger tropical stroms in the atlanytic
