tropical storms

• What temperature is required for tropical storms to form?

  At least 27°C
• How does warm air contribute to the formation of tropical storms?

  Warm air rises and condenses, forming clouds
• What happens to the air as it rises in a tropical storm?

  It spirals, cools, and condenses, releasing heat energy
• What is located at the center of a tropical storm?

  The eye of the storm
• What occurs in the eye of the storm?

  Warm air rises and cool air sinks
• How does the temperature difference between the eye and the edges of the storm affect wind strength?

  It causes extremely strong winds
• What does low pressure at the center of the storm lead to?

  It pulls up the sea surface, creating a storm surge
• What are the main steps in the formation of tropical storms?

  • Formation over warm seas of at least 27°C
  • Warm air rises and condenses to form clouds
  • Rising air spirals, cools, and releases heat energy
  • The eye of the storm forms at the center
  • Temperature difference causes strong winds
  • Low pressure creates a storm surge
• Most tropical storms form between 10 and 30° north and south of the equator, rarely within 5°.
• Ocean temperatures must be 27.5°C and above 60m depth.
• Over the last few decades, sea surface temperature has increased by 0.25-0.5°C. This may affect the distribution of tropical storms.
• Typhoon Haiyan:


  • november 2013

  • category 5 storm

  • winds upto 275km/h

  • waves as high as 15m
• Primary impacts of Typhoon Haitian:

  • 6300 people killed
  • 40000 homes destroyed
  • 30000 fishing boats destroyed
  • a 5 metre storm surge occurred leading to 15m waves
  • 170mph winds damaged power lines, destroyed the airport and blocked roads.
  • 33mil coconut trees destroyed.
• Secondary impacts of Typhoon Haiyan:


  • people homeless and over 600,000 displaced.
  • flooded houses by the coast
  • fishing communities destroyed
  • no power or electricity
  • blocked roads delayed rescue effects and aid efforts
  • no food for people in remote areas
  • shortages of clean water and disease spread often
  • coconut farmers income lost due to trees taking years to grow
  • loss of workforce
  • fishermen loss of income
• immediate responses to Typhoon Haiyan:


  • international governments and aid agencies responded with emergency aid (food, water and shelter)
  • US aircraft carriers assisted with search and rescue
  • 1200 evacuation centres
  • UK government sent shelter kits
  • field hospitals set up
  • Philippines Red Cross delivered basic food aid
• Global Atmospheric Circulation 


  the movement of the air around the earth which balances earth temperature