Tropical storms

• What type of weather systems are tropical storms?

  Low pressure weather systems
• What does low pressure mean in the context of tropical storms?

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

  Hurricanes in the northeast Pacific and north Atlantic, typhoons in the northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the south Pacific and Indian Ocean
• What are the three conditions needed for a tropical storm to form?

  1. Location: Between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator
  2. Sea temperature: Minimum of 27 degrees Celsius
  3. Wind shear: Must be low
• Why must sea temperatures be at least 27 degrees Celsius for tropical storms to form?

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

  It evaporates, rises, and condenses into clouds
• What is the role of the Coriolis force in tropical storms?

  It causes winds to move in specific directions due to the Earth's tilt and axis
• When do tropical storms lose strength?

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

  • Eye: Center of the storm, up to 50 km across, low pressure, light winds, no clouds, high temperature
  • Eye wall: Spiraling rising air, strong winds, storm clouds, torrential rain
  • Outer skirts: Falling wind speeds, smaller scattered clouds, less intensive rain
• What is the temperature condition for oceans due to climate change that affects tropical storms?

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

  More of the world's oceans could be above 27 degrees Celsius
• What is the impact of higher sea surface temperatures on the intensity of tropical storms?

  It leads to more evaporation and increased energy release, making storms more powerful
• What are the three ways to reduce the effects of tropical storms?

  1. Prediction and monitoring: Use radar and satellites
  2. Planning: Avoid developments in low-lying coastal areas and prepare evacuation plans
  3. Protection: Build structures to withstand storms and flood defenses
• How can storms be monitored for prediction purposes?

  Using radar and satellites
• What should governments do in terms of planning for tropical storms?

  Plan future developments and evacuation routes
• What is an example of a protective measure against tropical storms?

  Building structures on stilts
• What is the maximum width of the eye of a tropical storm?

  Up to 50 kilometers
• What happens to the wind speeds as you move towards the outer skirts of a tropical storm?

  Wind speeds fall
• What is the condition of the air in the eye of a tropical storm?

  Very low pressure with light winds and no clouds
• What is the effect of descending air in the eye of a tropical storm?

  It creates very low pressure
• How does the temperature in the eye of a tropical storm compare to the surrounding areas?

  The temperature is higher in the eye
• What happens to the clouds and rain towards the outer skirts of a tropical storm?

  The clouds become smaller and more scattered, and rain becomes less intensive
• What is the relationship between tropical storms and the Coriolis force?

  The Coriolis force causes the storm to spin
• What is the primary energy source for tropical storms?

  Warm ocean water
• What is the significance of the eye wall in a tropical storm?

  It contains very strong winds and storm clouds
• How does the energy from warm water affect the wind speed of a tropical storm?

  It increases the wind speed
• What happens to a tropical storm when it moves over land?

  It loses strength
• What is the role of evaporation in the development of tropical storms?

  It releases energy that fuels the storm
• What is the impact of climate change on the frequency of tropical storms?

  It may lead to a longer period for storms to form
• How does climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms?

  Higher sea surface temperatures lead to more powerful storms
• What is the significance of the eye in a tropical storm?

  It is the center with very low pressure and calm conditions
• What happens to the energy supply of a tropical storm when it moves over cool water?

  It gets cut off, leading to a loss of strength
• What is the effect of rising air in a tropical storm?

  It creates low pressure and fuels the storm
• How does the structure of a tropical storm change from the eye to the outer skirts?

  Wind speeds decrease and clouds become smaller and more scattered
• What is the relationship between tropical storms and the equator?

  Tropical storms form between 5 and 30 degrees north and south of the equator
• What is the role of the eye wall in a tropical storm?

  It is where the strongest winds and storm clouds are located