Distribution of tropical storms

• What are the three names tropical storms are known as?

  Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons
• What are cyclones?

  Tropical storms that begin in the South Pacific or the Indian Ocean
• What are hurricanes?

  Tropical storms that begin in the Atlantic Ocean
• What are typhoons?

  Tropical storms that begin in the north-west Pacific Ocean
• Where do tropical storms generally occur?

  In the tropics between 5° and 30° latitude
• Why are tropical storms confined to the tropics?

  They require certain conditions to form
• In what months do tropical storms form in the northern tropics?

  June to November
• In what months do tropical storms form in the southern tropics?

  November to April
• What direction do tropical storms normally move in?

  Westwards, affected by the prevailing trade winds
• What are the six conditions needed for tropical storms to form?

  1. Warm sea temperatures (at least 26.5° at sea surface)
  2. A lot of water vapor
  3. Low pressure disturbances and smaller storms that can join
  4. Rapidly cooling water vapor leading to cumulonimbus clouds
  5. Warm air rising from the ocean, pulled into a column of clouds
  6. Coriolis effect creating spin