WEATHER HAZARDS - TROPICAL STORMS

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Formation of tropical storms - 1) Sea temp.
- Tropical storms develop when sea temp is 27C+ and when the wind shear (difference in wind speed) between higher and lower parts of atmosphere is low.
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Formation of tropical storms - 2) Air rises
- Warm, moist air rises and condensation occurs - this releases huge amounts of energy, which makes the storms powerful. - Rising air creates area of low pressure, which increases surface winds.
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Formation of tropical storms - 3) Which way do the storms move?
- Tropical storms move towards the west because of the easterly winds nr equator.
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Formation of tropical storms - 4) Earth's rotation
- Earth's rotation deflects paths of the winds, which causes the storms to spin.
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Formation of tropical storms - 5) How does the storm get stronger?
- Storm gets stronger due to energy from the warm water, so wind speeds increase. - They lose strength when they move over land or cooler water because the energy supply from the water water is cut off.
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Distribution of tropical storms
-Most tropical storms occur between 5 degrees + 30 degrees north and south of the equator-any further from equator and water isnt warm enough.-Most storms occur in northern hemisphere(esp. over Pacific), in late summer+autumn,when sea temp.s' highest
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Structure of tropical storm
- Circular in shape. - Hundreds of km wide. - Usually last 7-14 days. - Spin anticlockwise in northern hemisphere, and clockwise in southern hemisphere.
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Features of tropical storm - eye
- Centre of storm is the eye. - It's up to 50km across. - Caused by decending air. - Very low pressure, light winds, no clouds, no rain and a high temp. in the eye.
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Features of tropical storm - eyewall
- Eyewall surrounds eye. - Spiralling rising air, very strong winds (around 160km per hr), storm clouds, torrential rain and a low temperature.
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Features of tropical storm - edge of storm
- Towards edge of storm, wind speed falls, clouds become smaller and more scattered, the rain becomes less intense and the temp. increases.
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What is the effect of climate change on tropical storms?
-Global temp.s will rise due to climate change = more of world's oceans will be above 27C, so more places in world may experience tropical storms. - Oceans will stay at 27C+ for more of yr - no. of tropical storms will rise.-High temp=stronger storms
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Reducing effects of tropical storms - prediction
- Using data from radar, satellites and aircraft to monitor storms. - Computer models predict storm's path. - Predicting where/when storm's going to happen gives people time to evacuate+protect homes/businesses, e.g. by boarding up windows.
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Reducing effects of tropical storms - planning
- Plan future developments (e.g. housing) to avoid areas most at risk. - Train and prepare emergency services. - Governments plan evacuation routes.
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Reducing effects of tropical storms - protection
- Design buildings to withstand tropical storms, e.g. using reinforced concrete. - Put buildings on stilts so they're safe from floodwater. - Build flood defences along rivers and coasts. - Reduce no. of buildings destroyed=reduce risk to people.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Formation of tropical storms - 2) Air rises

Back

- Warm, moist air rises and condensation occurs - this releases huge amounts of energy, which makes the storms powerful. - Rising air creates area of low pressure, which increases surface winds.

Card 3

Front

Formation of tropical storms - 3) Which way do the storms move?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Formation of tropical storms - 4) Earth's rotation

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Formation of tropical storms - 5) How does the storm get stronger?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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