Tropical Storms and Hurricane Formation

Study Notes

Tropical Storms

Cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are different names for severe tropical storms.
Tropical storms are some of the most destructive weather systems, producing storm-force winds, torrential rain, massive pressure drops, and storm surges.
Cyclones affect countries like Madagascar, India, and parts of Australia.
Typhoons affect Japan and parts of Southeast Asia.
Hurricanes affect the Caribbean and parts of the Southeastern USA.
Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in August 2005, was one of the most expensive natural disasters in history.
Tropical storms are identified based on wind speed.

Hurricane Formation

Hurricanes require warm sea temperatures of at least 26°C (78.8°F) to form. They require temperatures of 28°C (82.4°F) to develop into major storms.
They form around developing wave patterns or thunderstorms.
Hurricanes cannot develop under areas of high pressure due to descending air keeping the atmosphere stable.
Hurricanes can only form in a narrow band between 8 and 20° north of the equator.
This area is ideal for developing thunderstorms due to converging easterly trade winds and abundant moisture.

Hurricane Development

Warm, water-vapor-laden air rises, cools, and condenses into water droplets.
This phase releases latent heat, further warming the atmosphere, and making air more buoyant.
This creates violent thunderclouds.
Trade winds, following a curved path due to Earth's rotation, create a spinning pattern.
As the storm grows larger, more moist, warm air is drawn in, increasing the rotation speed.
When surface winds reach a sustained speed of over 74 mph, the storm becomes a category 1 hurricane.

Hurricane Structure

Hurricanes are classified on a scale from 1 to 5 based on wind strength.
Hurricanes develop a distinctive structure with a central clear zone called the eye.
The eye wall, surrounding the eye, contains the most severe thunderstorms and strongest winds.
In a category 5 hurricane, winds in the eye wall can exceed 155 mph.
The eye itself experiences a short-lived calm.

Hurricane Impacts

Hurricane-force winds cause immense damage.
Storm surges (walls of seawater pushed ahead of the hurricane) cause significant destruction.
Hurricane Katrina produced an 8-meter (26-foot) storm surge engulfing much of New Orleans.

Hurricane Forecasting

Scientists are improving hurricane strength and direction forecasts, giving people time to protect themselves and property.
Scientists can predict the number of storms in each Atlantic hurricane season.
However, the effect of climate change on the strength, number, and location of tropical storms remains under investigation.

Description

Explore the different types of tropical storms, including cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes. Learn about how these severe weather systems form, their impacts on various regions, and specific historical events like Hurricane Katrina. This quiz covers essential concepts related to the formation and characteristics of hurricanes.