Structure, features + development of tropical storms

• What is the appearance of a tropical storm compared to?

  • A huge whirlpool
  • A gigantic mass of revolving moist air
• What is the typical width of tropical storms?

  Between 482-644 kilometres
• How high do tropical storms typically reach?

  1. 8 kilometres
• What is the typical forward speed of tropical storms?

  16-24 km/h, but can travel as fast as 65 km/h
• What causes the tropical storm to spin?

  The Coriolis force caused by the rotation of the Earth
• What is the central part of a tropical storm called?

  The eye
• How wide is the eye of a tropical storm typically?

  32-48 km across
• What conditions are found in the eye of a tropical storm?

  Light wind speeds and no rain
• What surrounds the eye of a tropical storm?

  Large towering cumulonimbus clouds
• What leads to very heavy rainfall in tropical storms?

  Warm moist air condensing as it rises