Tropical storms

• What are tropical storms classified as?

  Low pressure weather systems with intense rainfall and winds
• What does low pressure mean in the context of tropical storms?

  It means warm air rises
• What are the different names for hurricanes based on their location?

  Hurricane, typhoon, and cyclone
• Where are hurricanes formed?

  In the northeast Pacific and north Atlantic
• Where are cyclones formed?

  In the south Pacific and Indian Ocean
• Where are typhoons formed?

  In the northwest Pacific
• What are the three conditions needed for a tropical storm to form?

  1. Must be between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator
  2. Sea temperatures must be at a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius
  3. Wind shear must be low
• Why must sea temperatures be at least 27 degrees Celsius for tropical storms?

  Because heat fuels the storm
• What happens to warm surface water during tropical storm development?

  It evaporates, rises, and condenses into clouds
• What is released when warm surface water condenses into clouds?

  Huge amounts of energy
• How does low pressure affect surface winds in a tropical storm?

  It increases surface winds
• What happens to a tropical storm as it moves over the ocean?

  The energy from warm water strengthens the storm
• When does a tropical storm lose strength?

  When it moves over land or cool water
• What are the features and structures of a tropical storm?

  • The center is called the eye (up to 50 km across)
  • Eye has very low pressure, light winds, no clouds, no rain, and high temperature
  • Surrounding the eye is the eye wall with strong winds, storm clouds, and torrential rain
  • Outer skirts have falling wind speeds, smaller clouds, and less intensive rain
• What is the eye of a tropical storm?

  The center of the storm with very low pressure and light winds
• How wide can the eye of a tropical storm be?

  Up to 50 kilometers across
• What characterizes the eye wall of a tropical storm?

  It has spiraling rising air, very strong winds, storm clouds, and torrential rain
• What happens to wind speeds towards the outer skirts of a tropical storm?

  Wind speeds fall
• How does climate change affect the frequency of tropical storms?

  Oceans will stay at 27 degrees Celsius or higher for longer
• How does climate change affect the distribution of tropical storms?

  More of the world's oceans could be above 27 degrees Celsius
• How does climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms?

  Higher sea surface temperatures lead to more evaporation and energy release
• What are the three ways to reduce the effects of tropical storms?

  1. Prediction and monitoring
  2. Planning
  3. Protection
• How can storms be predicted and monitored?

  Using radar and satellites
• What is involved in planning for tropical storms?

  Avoiding future developments in low-lying coastal areas
• What is an example of protection against tropical storms?

  Buildings designed to withstand storms, such as those on stilts
• What can be built along rivers to protect against tropical storms?

  Flood defenses