Tropic storms

• Global atmospheric circulation


  1. Air rises at the equator, leading to low pressure and rainfall

  2. Air travels to the north and south, becomes cold and falls to create high pressure and dry conditions at around 30° north and south of the equator

  3. Air rises again at around 60° north and south and descends again around 90° north and south
• Global atmospheric circulation


  • Driven by the equator, which is the hottest part of the Earth
  • Creates large cells of air
  • Creates winds across the planet
  • Leads to areas of high rainfall, like the tropical rainforests
  • Leads to areas of dry air, like deserts
• Tropical storm


  A very powerful low-pressure weather system which results in strong winds (over 120 km/h) and heavy rainfall (up to 250 mm in one day)
• Names of tropical storms in different regions


  • Hurricanes (US and Caribbean)
  • Cyclones (South Asia)
  • Typhoons (East Asia)
  • Willy-willies (Australia)
• Tropical storms develop in the same way and have the same characteristics regardless of their regional name