Tropical Cyclones: Formation and Classification

Tropical Cyclones

• Also known as hurricanes or typhoons, depending on the region
• Form over warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C) in the tropics
• Characterized by strong winds (at least 119 km/h) and heavy rainfall
• Formed when the sea surface temperature is warm enough to heat the air, which rises and creates a low-pressure system
• Classified into categories based on wind speed using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
  1. Category 1: winds of 119-153 km/h
  2. Category 2: winds of 154-177 km/h
  3. Category 3: winds of 178-208 km/h
  4. Category 4: winds of 209-251 km/h
  5. Category 5: winds of 252 km/h or higher

Thunderstorms

• Form when warm air rises rapidly into cold air, creating towering clouds called cumulonimbus
• Characterized by heavy rainfall, hail, lightning, and strong winds
• Can produce tornadoes, heavy flooding, and strong winds
• Classified into three types:
  1. Single-cell thunderstorms: short-lived and isolated
  2. Multi-cell thunderstorms: more severe and longer-lived
  3. Supercells: the most severe and longest-lived, capable of producing tornadoes

Anti-Cyclones

• Also known as high-pressure systems
• Characterized by high atmospheric pressure and fair weather
• Form when the air is sinking, resulting in clear skies and light winds
• Can bring hot weather in the summer and cold weather in the winter
• Can be associated with droughts and heatwaves

Depressions

• Also known as low-pressure systems
• Characterized by low atmospheric pressure and cloudy weather
• Form when the air is rising, resulting in cloudy skies and precipitation
• Can bring cool and wet weather
• Can be associated with storms and heavy rainfall

Measuring Instruments

• Anemometers: measure wind speed and direction
• Barometers: measure atmospheric pressure
• Hygrometers: measure humidity
• Rain gauges: measure precipitation
• Thermometers: measure temperature
• Weather radar: uses radar waves to detect precipitation and other weather phenomena
• Weather satellites: use sensors to detect weather patterns and storms from space

Tropical Cyclones

• Warm ocean waters (at least 26.5°C) in the tropics are necessary for formation
• Characterized by strong winds (at least 119 km/h) and heavy rainfall
• Formation occurs when sea surface temperature heats the air, which rises and creates a low-pressure system
• Classified into five categories based on wind speed using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

• Category 1: winds of 119-153 km/h
• Category 2: winds of 154-177 km/h
• Category 3: winds of 178-208 km/h
• Category 4: winds of 209-251 km/h
• Category 5: winds of 252 km/h or higher

Thunderstorms

• Form when warm air rises rapidly into cold air, creating cumulonimbus clouds
• Characterized by heavy rainfall, hail, lightning, and strong winds
• Can produce tornadoes, heavy flooding, and strong winds

Types of Thunderstorms

• Single-cell thunderstorms: short-lived and isolated
• Multi-cell thunderstorms: more severe and longer-lived
• Supercells: the most severe and longest-lived, capable of producing tornadoes

Anti-Cyclones

• Also known as high-pressure systems
• Characterized by high atmospheric pressure and fair weather
• Form when air is sinking, resulting in clear skies and light winds
• Can bring hot weather in summer and cold weather in winter
• Can be associated with droughts and heatwaves

Depressions

• Also known as low-pressure systems
• Characterized by low atmospheric pressure and cloudy weather
• Form when air is rising, resulting in cloudy skies and precipitation
• Can bring cool and wet weather
• Can be associated with storms and heavy rainfall

Measuring Instruments

• Anemometers: measure wind speed and direction
• Barometers: measure atmospheric pressure
• Hygrometers: measure humidity
• Rain gauges: measure precipitation
• Thermometers: measure temperature
• Weather radar: uses radar waves to detect precipitation and other weather phenomena
• Weather satellites: use sensors to detect weather patterns and storms from space