Global distribution of Tropical Storms

Question 1

Name climate zones

Answer 1

Polar
Temperate
Arid
Tropical
Mediterranean
Mountains

Question 2

What is the convection cell found at the equator called?

Answer 2

The Hadley Cell: Found between 0 and 30 degrees N and S of the equator. Warm air is rising here.

Question 3

What type of air pressure is experienced at the equator?

Answer 3

5. Low pressure: Warm air is rising, creating low pressure. It condenses, forming heavy clouds and precipitation.

Question 4

Define Tropical Storm

Answer 4

Tropical storms are a natural hazard. It is an area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the ‘eye’ of the storm. Winds are powerful and rainfall is heavy. They can cause great destruction.

Question 5

What are tropical storms called

Answer 5

Typhoon
Cyclone
Hurricane

Question 6

When is tropical storm called a typhoon

Answer 6

A tropical storm is called a typhoon when it forms in the West of the North Pacific Ocean (e.g. Typhoon Haiyan, 2013)

Question 7

When is tropical storm called a cyclone

Answer 7

A tropical storm is called a cyclone when it forms in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans (e.g. Cyclone Pam, 2015)

Question 8

When is tropical storm called a hurricane

Answer 8

A tropical storm is called a cyclone when it forms in the Atlantic and East Pacific Oceans (e.g. Hurricane Katrina 2005)

Question 9

Why do tropical storms have different names

Answer 9

They are all the same thing. Their names just depend on where they form in the world.

Question 10

Describe the distribution of tropical storms around the globe.

Answer 10

Tropical storms are occur in the tropics, between 5° and 30° North and South of the Equator. [1 mark]

Hurricanes form in the Atlantic Ocean, affecting the USA and Central America. [1 mark]

Cyclones affect areas in the North-Pacific Ocean affecting Australia and South-East Asia. [1 mark]

Typhoons affect Japan and other areas in South Asia. [1 mark]

Question 11

What is the Coriolis Effect

Answer 11

The Coriolis Effect is the rotation of the Earth causes objects to be deflected to the right in the N. Hemisphere, and to the left in the S. Hemisphere.

Question 12

In what direction do hurricanes swirl

Answer 12

Hurricanes in the Northen Hemisphere swirl anti-clockwise (right)

Question 13

What effect does the Coriolis effect have on Tropical Storms

Answer 13

In a tropical storm, the Coriolis effect bends and spins the warm rising air.

Question 14

In what direction do typhoons swirl

Answer 14

Typhoons can be found in both the N. Hem or S. Hem.
Typhoons will swirl anti-clockwise if they are in the northern Hemisphere or clockwise if they are in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 15

In what direction do cyclones swirl spin

Answer 15

Cyclones in the S. Hem swirl clockwise

Question 16

Where do tropical storms form

Answer 16

Tropical storms occur in the tropics (5°-30°N/S of the Equator) and need particular conditions to develop

Question 17

What conditions do tropical storms need to develop

Answer 17

Firstly, the seas must be above 27°C and 60-70 metres deep in order to provide enough heat and moisture to cause the warm air to rise rapidly.

Wind shear (wind that does not vary with height) must be low so that clouds can rise to high levels without being torn apart.

Question 18

Why don’t tropical storms develop along the equator

Answer 18

Tropical storms do not develop along the Equator because the Coriolis effect is not strong enough here to spin the storm.