Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for the rotation of a tornado?
What is the minimum temperature required for hurricane formation?
Which type of tornado is characterized by being weak and forming in weak thunderstorms?
What stage of hurricane formation is characterized by thunderstorms and cloudy areas?
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What is the term for a thunderstorm that can produce multiple tornadoes?
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What is the primary reason why high wind shear can disrupt cyclone formation and maintenance?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to storm surge?
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According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, what is the wind speed range for a Category 3 hurricane?
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What is the term for the change in wind speed or direction over a horizontal distance?
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What is the minimum sustained wind speed required for a rotating system to be classified as a tropical depression?
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Study Notes
Tornadoes
- Formation: Tornadoes form when a combination of atmospheric conditions come together, including warm, moist air near the surface, cooler air above, and wind shear.
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Characteristics:
- Rotating column of air that touches the ground
- Wind speeds can reach up to 300 mph (480 km/h)
- Can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life
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Types:
- Landspout: Weak tornado that forms in weak thunderstorms
- Waterspout: Tornado that forms over water
- Supercell: Long-lived thunderstorm that can produce multiple tornadoes
Hurricane Formation
- Formation: Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C) when the atmosphere is unstable and there is low pressure.
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Conditions:
- Moist air rises, creating convection currents
- Rotation develops due to Coriolis effect
- Eye of the storm forms at the center
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Stages:
- Tropical disturbance: Initial stage, characterized by thunderstorms and cloudy areas
- Tropical depression: Rotating system with sustained winds <39 mph (63 km/h)
- Tropical storm: Sustained winds 39-73 mph (63-118 km/h)
- Hurricane: Sustained winds >73 mph (118 km/h)
Storm Surge
- Definition: Rise in sea level due to a storm, causing coastal flooding and damage
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Causes:
- Low atmospheric pressure
- Strong winds pushing water towards the shore
- High tides
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Effects:
- Coastal erosion and flooding
- Damage to buildings and infrastructure
- Loss of life
Cyclone Classification
- Tropical cyclones: Rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
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Classification systems:
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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
- Category 1: Winds 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h)
- Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph (154-177 km/h)
- Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph (178-208 km/h)
- Category 4: Winds 130-156 mph (209-257 km/h)
- Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher (258 km/h or higher)
- Central Pressure Deficit (CPD): Measures the difference between the central pressure of the cyclone and the surrounding environment
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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
Wind Shear
- Definition: Change in wind speed or direction with height
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Effects on cyclones:
- Inhibition: High wind shear can disrupt cyclone formation and maintenance
- Disruption: Wind shear can cause cyclones to weaken or dissipate
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Types:
- Vertical wind shear: Change in wind speed or direction with height
- Horizontal wind shear: Change in wind speed or direction over a horizontal distance
Tornadoes
- Form when warm, moist air near the surface meets cooler air above and wind shear
- Characterized by a rotating column of air that touches the ground
- Can have wind speeds up to 300 mph (480 km/h) and cause catastrophic damage and loss of life
- Types include landspouts, weak tornadoes that form in weak thunderstorms
- Waterspouts, tornadoes that form over water
- Supercells, long-lived thunderstorms that can produce multiple tornadoes
Hurricane Formation
- Form over warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C) when the atmosphere is unstable and there is low pressure
- Moist air rises, creating convection currents, and rotation develops due to the Coriolis effect
- Eye of the storm forms at the center
- Stages include tropical disturbances, initial stage with thunderstorms and cloudy areas
- Tropical depressions, rotating systems with sustained winds of 73 mph (118 km/h)
Storm Surge
- Rise in sea level due to a storm, causing coastal flooding and damage
- Caused by low atmospheric pressure, strong winds pushing water towards the shore, and high tides
- Effects include coastal erosion and flooding, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and loss of life
Cyclone Classification
- Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
- Classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and Central Pressure Deficit (CPD)
- Saffir-Simpson categories include:
- Category 1: Winds 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h)
- Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph (154-177 km/h)
- Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph (178-208 km/h)
- Category 4: Winds 130-156 mph (209-257 km/h)
- Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher (258 km/h or higher)
- CPD measures the difference between the central pressure of the cyclone and the surrounding environment
Wind Shear
- Change in wind speed or direction with height
- Inhibits cyclone formation and maintenance when high, and disrupts cyclones causing them to weaken or dissipate
- Types include vertical wind shear, change in wind speed or direction with height
- Horizontal wind shear, change in wind speed or direction over a horizontal distance
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Description
Learn about the formation and characteristics of tornadoes, including wind speeds, types, and damage they can cause.
