Tropical Storms

• Global atmospheric circulation

  The movement of air around the earth.
• Low pressure

  Light warm air that is rising. As it rises it cools so condensation and clouds form causing rainfall.
• High pressure

  Heavy cool air that is sinking. As it sinks it prevents war air from rising and forming rain.
• Trade winds

  The main surface winds that blow from the equator to the tropics (cancer and Capricorn).
• Tropics

  The warmest part of the Earth between the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn.
• Low wind shear

  Little wind blowing in different directs which would rip the tropical storm apart.
• Coriolis effect

  The rotating Earth causes the winds to bend and the tropical storm to spin.
• Latent heat

  The energy made when condensation occurs. This powers the tropical storm.
• Eye

  The calm centre of the tropical storm. Little winds and dry.
• Eye wall

  The area with the strongest winds and rainfall. Next to the eye.
• Spiral rain bands

  The rain clouds that circle round the eye and eye wall.
• Distribution 


  Where they are found.
• Frequency 


  How often they occur.
• Intensity 


  How strong they are.
• Strom surge

  The large waves created by the tropical storm due to the lifting power of the low pressure and the strong winds.
• Track

  The path a tropical storm follows.
• Mangroves

  Trees that grow in the sea and can reduce the power of the storm surge.
• Emergency aid

  Food, water, tents and medical help.
• Cyclone shelters

  A place where people can safely evacuate to.
• Weather report

  The amount of rainfall and wind in an area.
• Climate

  The average weather over 30 years.
• Intensity

  Climate change will trap escaping heat from the Earth. This will mean more heat/energy in the atmosphere. This means warmer oceans leading to more evaporation and more powerful storms.

  2005, 28 hurricanes the worse ever.

  • It will have more stronger winds.
  • Sustained wind.
  • Does the damage stronger.
  • Primary and so secondary impacts.
• Frequency

  Tropical storms may occur more often as the oceans is warmed to 27c on more occasions. This allows more storms to be formed more often.

  In the past 24 years there have been 15 above normal hurricanes.

  • Areas affected more often.
  • No time to recover.
• Distribution

  Warmer temperatures caused by the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases will mean more areas of the oceans will be over 27c. This means areas that previously couldn't have tropical storms are now warm enough the receive them.

  Brazil received its first hurricane - Hurricane Catarina 2004.

  Kenya - 2024.

  • New areas will suffer tropical storms.
  • They will be unprepared.
• Speed

  Warmer temperatures means storms can develop into tropical storms very quickly. These can rapidly move towards the land.

  Typhoon Haiyan developed from a tropical storm to typhoon strength in 1 day.

  • No time to prepare, difficult to predict.
  • Time to evacuate?
• Indirect impacts of climate change

  • Rising sea levels (more storm surges will be higher).
  • Environmental refugees (more informal settlements in coastal areas).
• Explain which of these changes (intensity/frequency/distribution/speed) will be worse for people?

  I think intensity will be the worse for people as it means stronger storms leading to more people having to evacuate. People don't know how severe the storm will be. Intensity can also create primary and secondary impacts which will disrupt daily lives.
• Will all areas be equally affected by climate change effecting tropical storms?

  No, as if you are poorer you will receive more damage once tropical storms take place. We also can't predict how severe the tropical storm will be and how much damage they will create. If more damage occurs in poorer areas it means that they may struggle more. Coastal areas will also be affected quite a lot and if you go closer to land it will start to decay.
• Will all areas be equally affected by climate change effecting tropical storms?

  • Depends if country was prepared - level of development.
  • Some areas are low lying so sea levels will be worse.
  • Some oceans are warming faster so more changes.
• Is climate change more important than level of development in determining impacts of a tropical storm?

  The level of development is important as you can find out about a storm a lot sooner, so more time to prepare against hazards.
• Why does there need to be a deep warm ocean?

  So it will evaporate
• Secondary effects

  • 6 million lost their source of income
  • Many jobs lost, hospitals were damaged, shops and schools were destroyed, affecting people's livelihood and education
  • Increased debt from repair cost of $14 billion
• Indirect impacts of climate change

  Rising sea levels - more storm surges will be higher

  Environmental refugees - more informal settlements in coastal areas
• What are the three cells called?

  Hadley

  Polar

  Ferrel
• Tropical storm hazards

  Storm surge - leading to coastal flooding

  High winds - damaged buildings, property and infrastructure

  Flooding - heavy rain
• Typhoon Haiyan

  Social effects

  • About 6300 people killed
  • 600000 people displaced
  • Looting and violence broke out in Tacloban
  • 40000 homes damaged or flattened - 90% of Tacloban city
• Typhoon Haiyan

  Environmental effects

  • Siltation of rivers
  • Food webs
  • Pollution
  • Animal habitats
  • Infertile soils as nutrients washed away by heavy rainfall
• Typhoon Haiyan

  Economic effects

  • Cost $14 billion
  • 6 million lost their source of income
  • Many jobs lost, hospitals were damaged, shops and schools were destroyed