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Questions and Answers
What is the minimum sea surface temperature required for the formation of tropical cyclones?
What is the minimum sea surface temperature required for the formation of tropical cyclones?
At least 26.5°C
What is the wind speed range for a Category 3 tropical cyclone?
What is the wind speed range for a Category 3 tropical cyclone?
178-208 km/h
What is the process that leads to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds in thunderstorms?
What is the process that leads to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds in thunderstorms?
Warm air rising rapidly into cold air
What is the main difference between single-cell and multi-cell thunderstorms?
What is the main difference between single-cell and multi-cell thunderstorms?
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What is the term used to describe a low-pressure system that is not a tropical cyclone?
What is the term used to describe a low-pressure system that is not a tropical cyclone?
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What type of instrument might be used to measure the wind speed of a tropical cyclone?
What type of instrument might be used to measure the wind speed of a tropical cyclone?
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What type of weather systems are characterized by high atmospheric pressure and fair weather?
What type of weather systems are characterized by high atmospheric pressure and fair weather?
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Which type of weather phenomenon is capable of producing tornadoes?
Which type of weather phenomenon is capable of producing tornadoes?
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What type of instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?
What type of instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?
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What is the characteristic of the air in depressions that leads to cloudy skies and precipitation?
What is the characteristic of the air in depressions that leads to cloudy skies and precipitation?
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Which instrument uses radar waves to detect precipitation and other weather phenomena?
Which instrument uses radar waves to detect precipitation and other weather phenomena?
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What type of weather is associated with anti-cyclones in the summer?
What type of weather is associated with anti-cyclones in the summer?
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Study Notes
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:
- 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 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:
- 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 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
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Description
Test your knowledge of tropical cyclones, also known as hurricanes or typhoons, including their formation over warm ocean waters and classification based on wind speed.
