Tropical storms

• causes of tropical storms

  • 26-27 degree ocean temperatures to provide the storm with energy
  • present winds
  • unstable air pressure where high and low pressures meet, so warm air rises and clouds can form
  • 5- 30 degrees either side of the equator
• corriolis effect 


  • clockwise in southern hemisphere
  • anticlockwise in northern hemisphere
• formation


  1. Warm moist air rises
  2. Eventually cools then condenses to form large clouds
  3. Coriolis effect causes to spin
  4. Constant addition of energy increases speed
  5. eye develops, calm
  6. Eyewall, most intense, warm air rises here
  7. Storm surge due to low pressure high winds
• Frequency


  number of tropical storms
• Primary effects


  • Directly caused
  • E.g. strong winds damaging plants
• Secondary effects


  • Result of primary effects
  • Landslides
• Monitoring


  • Track cloud formation
  • Use satellite technology
  • Monitor route
• Predicting


  • route and intensity
  • population can be informed
  • More reliable as storms get closer
  • How high the storm surge will be
• Protection

  • Seawall to block storm surge
  • Storm drains to remove waterfall
  • Reinforcing windows
  • High ground buildings
• Planning


  • Hazard mapping, where is most risk?
  • Evacuation routes
  • Awareness