Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the starting point for tropical cyclones?
What is the starting point for tropical cyclones?
What determines the category of a tropical cyclone according to the Saffir-Simpson scale?
What determines the category of a tropical cyclone according to the Saffir-Simpson scale?
Why can tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere travel further poleward than those in the Southern Hemisphere?
Why can tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere travel further poleward than those in the Southern Hemisphere?
What is the main characteristic of the eye wall of tropical cyclones?
What is the main characteristic of the eye wall of tropical cyclones?
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Where do tropical cyclones form near due to warm ocean temperatures and intense sunlight?
Where do tropical cyclones form near due to warm ocean temperatures and intense sunlight?
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What is the primary cause of damage due to tropical cyclones?
What is the primary cause of damage due to tropical cyclones?
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What is a characteristic of polar cyclones?
What is a characteristic of polar cyclones?
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What is a notable impact of mid-latitude cyclones?
What is a notable impact of mid-latitude cyclones?
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What is the transitional stage between a thunderstorm and a tornado called?
What is the transitional stage between a thunderstorm and a tornado called?
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What was the estimated death toll caused by the Great Bhola Cyclone of 1970?
What was the estimated death toll caused by the Great Bhola Cyclone of 1970?
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What causes the direction of cyclonic winds to differ between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
What causes the direction of cyclonic winds to differ between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
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What distinguishes cyclones from local thunderstorms?
What distinguishes cyclones from local thunderstorms?
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What is the defining characteristic of the eye of a cyclone?
What is the defining characteristic of the eye of a cyclone?
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What causes the winds in a cyclone to circle inward toward the eye?
What causes the winds in a cyclone to circle inward toward the eye?
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What is the colloquial term used for tropical cyclones?
What is the colloquial term used for tropical cyclones?
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In which direction do cyclonic winds circle in the Northern Hemisphere?
In which direction do cyclonic winds circle in the Northern Hemisphere?
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What is the center of a cyclone called?
What is the center of a cyclone called?
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What causes the direction of cyclonic winds to differ in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
What causes the direction of cyclonic winds to differ in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
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What is the primary factor that distinguishes cyclones from local thunderstorms?
What is the primary factor that distinguishes cyclones from local thunderstorms?
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Why might people mistakenly believe a cyclone has passed?
Why might people mistakenly believe a cyclone has passed?
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Study Notes
Types and Impact of Cyclonic Storms
- Tropical cyclones cause damage not only due to fast wind speeds but also because of storm surge, as seen in Hurricane Katrina with a surge of 25-28 ft.
- Since 1950, 93 hurricane names have been retired due to particularly devastating or destructive storms.
- Tropical cyclones follow specific paths after forming, with the color indicating their strength.
- Polar cyclones, found in polar regions, contain extremely cold air and bring unseasonably cold temperatures to lower latitudes.
- Mid-latitude cyclones, responsible for severe weather in the mid-latitudes, can undergo bombogenesis and create a comma shape on satellite images.
- Mesocyclones refer to the transitional stage between a thunderstorm and a tornado, bringing large hailstorms and gusting winds.
- Cyclonic storms bring dangerous winds, storm surge, and rain to low-lying areas, causing large-scale destruction.
- Polar cyclones bring unseasonable cold temperatures, causing issues such as pipe breakage and energy crises.
- Mid-latitude cyclones bring blizzards, winter weather, and tornadoes to vast regions, affecting areas unaccustomed to winter weather.
- Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 storm, produced a storm surge of 25-28 feet, leading to vast urban flooding and significant loss of life.
- Great Bhola Cyclone of 1970, with winds topping 140 mph, caused an estimated 300,000-500,000 deaths due to a large storm surge and destruction of 85% of homes.
- Cyclones, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Great Bhola Cyclone, have caused immense destruction and loss of life due to their powerful and devastating impact.
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Description
Test your knowledge about different types of cyclonic storms and their impact with this quiz. Learn about tropical cyclones, polar cyclones, mid-latitude cyclones, and mesocyclones, as well as their destructive effects such as storm surge, urban flooding, and devastating winds.
