Tropical storms

• What are tropical storms characterized by?

  Intense low pressure, heavy rain, strong winds
• What are the different names for tropical storms?

  Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones
• What conditions are necessary for tropical storms to develop?

  • Sea temperature of 27 °C or higher
  • Low wind shear
  • Location between 5° and 30° latitude
• What happens to warm surface water during tropical storm formation?

  It evaporates, rises, and condenses into clouds
• How does low wind shear affect tropical storms?

  It prevents clouds from breaking up
• What direction do easterly winds move tropical storms?

  Towards the west
• What effect does the Coriolis effect have on tropical storms?

  It causes the storms to spin
• What happens to tropical storms when they move over land or cooler water?

  They lose strength due to energy supply cut-off
• When do most tropical storms occur in the northern hemisphere?

  From August to October
• When do most tropical storms occur in the southern hemisphere?

  From December to April
• What are the features and structure of a tropical storm?

  • Circular shape, hundreds of kilometres wide
  • Lasts 7–14 days
  • Spins anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere
  • Spins clockwise in the southern hemisphere
• What is the eye of a tropical storm?

  The center with low pressure and light winds
• What is found in the eye of a tropical storm?

  Very low pressure, light winds, no clouds
• How wide can the eye of a tropical storm be?

  Up to 50 km across
• What surrounds the eye of a tropical storm?

  The eyewall with strong winds and rain
• What wind speed can be found in the eyewall?

  Around 160 km per hour
• What happens to wind speed towards the edges of a tropical storm?

  Wind speed falls and clouds scatter
• What was significant about Typhoon Halyan?

  It was one of the most powerful typhoons
• When did Typhoon Halyan make landfall?

  8th November 2013
• Which areas were worst affected by Typhoon Halyan?

  Tacloban and Cabau
• How much rain fell during Typhoon Halyan?

  Over 200 mm
• What was the height of the storm surge during Typhoon Halyan?

  Waves up to 5 m high
• What was the maximum wave height that Tacloban experienced?

  Waves up to 15 m high
• What were the primary effects of Typhoon Halyan?

  • Over 6300 people died
  • Over 1 million homes damaged
  • 1.9 million people displaced
  • Strong winds damaged infrastructure
  • Widespread damage
  • Thousands left homeless
• How often do tropical storms occur?

  Every year in different areas
• What determines the occurrence of tropical storms?

  When sea temperatures are highest
• What is the typical duration of a tropical storm?

  Usually lasts 7–14 days
• What is the typical shape of a tropical storm?

  Circular in shape
• What is the typical spin direction of tropical storms in the northern hemisphere?

  Anticlockwise
• What is the typical spin direction of tropical storms in the southern hemisphere?

  Clockwise
• What is the role of descending air in the eye of a tropical storm?

  It creates very low pressure and light winds
• What happens to temperature in the eye of a tropical storm?

  It is high compared to surrounding areas
• What is the temperature like in the eyewall of a tropical storm?

  Low temperature with strong winds
• What is the significance of the storm's circular shape?

  It allows for organized wind patterns
• What is the main takeaway regarding the formation of tropical storms?

  Outline the main steps in their formation