Formation

• Three ingredients to form tropical storms

  1. Warm oceans, temperature >27 degrees.
  2. Low wind shear = wind that does not vary greatly in height.
  3. latitudes > 5°N and S of the Equator to provide spin or twist.
• 4 steps to form tropical storms

  1. Air rises, drawing water vapour from the warm ocean surface.
  2. Evaporated air cools +condenses. This forms thunderstorm clouds.
  3. Several smaller thunderstorms join together = one giant thunderstorm.
  4. When surface winds reach an avg of 75mph, the storm is classed as a tropical storm.