How does a Tropical Storm form

Question 1

What is the centre of a tropical storm called

Answer 1

The eye

Question 2

Define ‘eye’ (centre of a tropical storm)

Answer 2

The eye is where there are no winds and no precipitation present. It is calm due to descending air.

Question 3

What are tropical storms called that form in Eastern Asia?

Answer 3

Typhoons: These tropical storms form west of the North Pacific Ocean. E.g. Typhoon Haiyan.

Question 4

What is the name of the phenomenon that causes tropical storms to spin?

Answer 4

3. The Coriolis Effect

Question 5

Name 2 conditions needed for tropical storms to form

Answer 5

Seas must be above 27 degrees Celsius
Seas must be 60-70 metres deep
They need to be 5 - 30 degrees North or South Celcius of the equator)
Low Wind Shear

Question 6

Explain how a tropical storm forms (1st step)

Answer 6

1. Air is heated above the surface of warm tropical oceans. The warm air rises rapidly under the low-pressure conditions.

Question 7

Explain how a tropical storm forms (2nd step)

Answer 7

2. The rising air draws up more air and large volumes of moisture from the ocean, causing strong winds.

Question 8

Explain how a tropical storm forms (3rd step)

Answer 8

3. The Coriolis effect causes the air to spin upwards around a calm central eye of the storm.

Question 9

Explain how a tropical storm forms (4th step)

Answer 9

4. As the air rises, it cools and condenses to form large, towering cumulonimbus clouds, which generate torrential rainfall. The heat given off when the air cools powers the tropical storm.

Question 10

Explain how a tropical storm forms (5th step)

Answer 10

5. Cold air sinks in the eye, therefore there is no cloud, so it is dryer and much calmer here.

Question 11

Explain how a tropical storm forms (6th step)

Answer 11

6. The tropical storm travels across the ocean in the prevailing wind.

Question 12

Explain how a tropical storm forms (7th step)

Answer 12

7. When the tropical storm meets land it is no longer fuelled by the source of moisture and heat from the ocean so it loses power and weakens. As they pass over land, friction also slows them down. An average tropical storm has a lifespan of one to two weeks.

Question 13

What is the lifespan of a tropical storm

Answer 13

An average tropical storm has a lifespan of one to two weeks.

Question 14

What are the features of a tropical storm

Answer 14

The bands of heavy rain, a result of warm, moist air being drawn out of the ocean into the upper atmosphere, where condensation takes place.

The central eye, within which there is an eerie calm, and its wall. This is where colder air sinks to the ground and warms up.

On either side is the eye wall. Here winds are strong and in excess of 74mph. Heavy rain and thunder.

The cool, dense air falling between the bands of heavy rain.

The diverging air flow in the upper atmosphere, a result of the Coriolis Effect.

Question 15

What are the things climate change might affect concerning tropical storms

Answer 15

Climate change might affect the:
distribution, frequency and intensity of tropical
storms.

Question 16

Explain how climate change can affect the intensity of tropical storms

Answer 16

A warmer atmosphere will mean the air can hold more moisture. Heavy rainfall, and thus flooding, will increase and tropical storms are expected to become more destructive.

Question 17

Explain how climate change can affect the frequency of tropical storms

Answer 17

As the temperature increases, sea levels and temperatures will rise, due to thermal expansion. This will result in storm surges becoming increasingly common.

Oceans will stay at 27 °C or higher for more of the year so the number of tropical storms each year could increase.

Question 18

Explain how climate change can affect the distribution of tropical storms

Answer 18

Global temperatures are expected to increase as a result of climate change. This means that more of the world’s oceans could be above 27 °C, so more places in the world may experience tropical storms.

Question 19

Relationship between Climate change an intensity of tropical storms

Answer 19

There is evidence of a link between warmer oceans and the intensity (destructive power) of tropical storms. Tropical storms are expected to become more intense, by 2-11%, by 2100. The number of the most severe category 4 or 5 tropical storms has increased since the 1970s. Predictions suggest that every one degree celsius increase in tropical sea surface temperatures will mean a 3-5% increase in wind speed.

Question 20

Relationship between frequency and distribution of tropical storms

Answer 20

The number of more severe tropical storms (categories 4 and 5) is expected to increase, while category 1-3 storms will decrease. The regions where tropical storms are experienced are not expected to change significantly as a result of climate change.