Tropical storms

Question 1

How do tropical storms develop?

Answer 1

Warm ocean, evaporation

Warm, moist air rising under low pressure
This air cools, forming clouds

Trade winds spin clouds

More and more warm air rises upwards

Cold air, high pressure, sucked into centre of storm from top

Gradually, storm gets bigger as it picks up more air.
moved across sea, forming hurricane

Rain falls at edge of storm, low pressure

Question 2

Where does tropical storms occur?

Answer 2

Between 5 and 20 degrees north or south of the equator.

Question 3

What is needed for a tropical storm to form?

Answer 3

• Warm temperature
• Warm sea (min 27)
• Deep water (minimum 60m)
• Large, open area of sea
• Strong trade winds.
• Moist air
• Low pressure
• A location not near the equator which experiences the rotation of the earth, needed to create turbulence.
• Moist air

Question 4

What scale is used to measure the strength of a tropical storm?

Answer 4

Beaufort scale (km/h)

Question 5

What are the primary impacts of tropical storms?

Answer 5

• Intense winds can destroy trees, buildings and communication networks.
• Tidal surges and high waves causes flooding.
• Deaths.
• Crops are uprooted.

Question 6

What are the secondary impacts of tropical storms?

Answer 6

• People become homeless.
• The country’s economy worsens as businesses are destroyed and money needs to be spent on humanitarian aid and improving infrastructure.
• Businesses’ productivity decreases as people’s working days are lost.
• Agriculture is ruined because of soil erosion.

Question 7

How do MEDCs predict storms?

Answer 7

They have the resources and technology to predict and monitor the occurrence of storms (eg using satellites and specially equipped aircraft)

Question 8

How do MEDCs prepare for storms?

Answer 8

• They train the emergency services appropriately.

- They educate people about necessary precautions.

Question 9

Why are storm warnings beneficial?

Answer 9

• Enable the population to evacuate ad prepare themselves for the storm.
• People can prepare by storing food and water or boarding up their windows.

Question 10

How do LEDCs deal with storms?

Answer 10

• They are less prepared so they may rely on aid from MEDCs for the rescue and recovery process.