Natural Hazards (weather)

WHERE DO TROPICAL STORMS FORM?

Tropical stroms form ocer warm oceans above 27C which explaisn why they are found in the tropics.

They form in th esummer and autumn when sea tempertures are at their highest

Most tropical storms form at 5-15 degrees north and south of the equator. This is because there is not enough 'spin' from the roation of the earth at the equator. The effect of the Earth's roation is called the Coriolis effect.

In tropical regions the intesne heat makes the air unstable cauisng it to rise rapidly. These unstable conditions are important in the formation of hurricanes.

HOW DO TROPICAL STORMS FORM?

1. A strong upward movment of air draws water vapour up from the warm ocean surface
2. This evaportated air cools as it rises and condense to form towering thunderstorm clouds
3. As the air condeneses it releases heat which powers the storm and draws up more and more water from the ocean
4. Serval smaller thunderstorms join together to form a giant spinning storm…