| Describe the Global movement of air? | This movement is done so in a pattern. Its all driven by the Equator, the hottest part of Earth.
The air there rises, leading to low pressure and rainfall. When the air had reached the atmosphere, it can't go further so it goes North or South. They will soon get cold and will therefore fall to create high pressure and dry conditions at 30 degrees North or South. Large cells of air are created by this.
The air will then rise again at 60 degrees North/South and fall 90 degrees North/South
This creates wind and areas of high rainfall [Tropical Rainforests] and low rainfall [Deserts] |
| Why does hot air rise, and cold air sink. | Hot air is less dense then cold air |
| What is a Tropical Storm? | This is a very powerful low pressure weather system which has very strong winds [120km/h+] and heavy rainfall [250mm in a day] |
| What are the Different names for Tropical Storms? | USA and Caribbean: Hurricanes
South Asia: Cyclones
East Asia: Typhoons
Australia: Willy-Willies |
| What are the structure of a Tropical Storm? | It looks like a huge whirlpool that stretchs around 482-644 km wide and 6-8 km high.
The centre part of the Tropical Storm is called the Eye
They Eye is 32-48 km wide and has light wind speeds and no rain but instead harvests descending air.
Large towering cumulonimbus clouds surround the eye. They are caused by worm moist air condensing as it rises. This makes heavy rainfall and wind speeds up to 320 km/h |
| Why do they spin? | This is due to the Coriolis Force. This is caused by Earth's Rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, Tropical Storms spin anti-clockwise. In the Southern Hemisphere, Tropical Storms spin clockwise. |
| How do Tropical Storms develop? | 1. They form around 5-30 degrees latitude. They have easterly winds, which makes them move westward
2. The air above the warm ocean is heated. When its 27 degrees, warm air can rise making low pressure.
3. As the air rises, warm moist air is drawn in above the ocean equalling strong winds.
4. The warm air spirals upwards, condense and makes large cumulonimbus clouds
5.These clouds make the eye wall and make heavy rainfall
6. The Eye has cold air sinks making the condintions dry and calm. |
| Why do Tropical Storms not affect Europe? | The water is too cold for a Tropical Storm to form. |
| Why does a Tropical Storm not form in the Equator? | This is because of the Coriolis Force. It is 0 in the Equator meaning the air just flows straight into low pressure. It also doesn't rotate |
| Why do Tropical Storms lose energy once they hit the land? | This is because the ocean is fueling heat energy and moisture which drives them along. On land, it can't reach the demand |
| How does Climate Change affect Tropical Storms? | Climate Change can make more Locations be affected Tropical Storms. This is because its warming the seas which is where the Tropical Storms are formed. The frequency is unknown answer.
Climate Change will also make wind speeds increase by 2-11% and rainfall by 20%
Sea levels will also rise making Population density more in risk. |
| How can you predict Tropical Storms? How are they issued? | In Miami, Florida there is a National Hurricane Centre which uses
-Satellite Images
-Certain weather instruments
-Computer based predictions.
If populated areas are at risk, warnings are issued out and is presented in TV's, Magazines and more. In USA, mass evacuation can be done quickly.
Reinforced aircraft with scientific instruments fly over the storm to collect data. This is used to see the path of the storm |
