Tropical storms

Question 1

Tropical storms

Answer 1

are intense low-pressure weather systems with heavy rain and strong winds that spiral around the centre. When they reach land or cooler water, they lose strength. Since they lose heat and moisture and there is more friction.

Question 2

Conditions for formation of tropical storm

Answer 2

• sea temperature is 27 degrees or higher and 60m deep

- wind shear is low

Question 3

Spinning of the tropical storm

Answer 3

They spin anti clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Question 4

Eye

Answer 4

The center of the storm. It is up to 50km across and is caused by descending air. There is low pressure, no clouds, no rain and a high temperature.

Question 5

Eyewall

Answer 5

The eye is surrounded by eyewall, where there’s spiraling rising air, very strong winds, storm clouds, rain and low temperature.

Question 6

Edges of the storm

Answer 6

The wind speed falls, the clouds become smaller, the rain becomes less intense, the temperature increases.

Question 7

How climate change can affect tropical storms

Answer 7

• global temperatures are expected to rise as a result of global warming
• this means more of the oceans could be above 27 degrees
• more places in the world may experience tropical storms
• oceans will stay at 27 degrees more often
• higher temperatures means tropical storms will be stronger

Question 8

The primary effects of tropical storms

Answer 8

• buildings and bridges are destroyed
• rivers and coastal areas flood
• people drown, injured or killed by debris
• roads, railways, ports, airports are damaged
• water contamination by salt water from ocean

Question 9

Secondary effects of tropical storms

Answer 9

• people are left homeless, causes poverty, illnesses
• lack of clean water and sanitary services-diseases spread faster
• roads are blocked so emergency services cannot rescue people
• unemployement
• shortages of food, since destroyed crops, and blocked roads

Question 10

Immediate responses to tropical storm

Answer 10

Happen when a storm is forecast to hit an area and immediately afterwards.

• evacuate people
• rescue people which has been cut off by floods
• treat injured people
• provide shelter, food and water
• recover dead bodies to prevent the spread of diseases

Question 11

Long-term responses to tropical storm

Answer 11

• repair homes or move them to different area
• repair damaged infrastructure
• repair and improve flood defense systems
• improve forecast techniques
• strengthen the homes
• promote economic recovery, tax breaks

Question 12

Prediction of tropical storms

Answer 12

• use data from radar, satellites, planes to monitor storms. Calculating a predicted path for the storm
• warn people where and when the tropical storm is going to happen. Gives people time to evacuate and protect their homes.

Question 13

Planning to reduce the impacts of tropical storms

Answer 13

• future development, avoid building houses in the areas most at risk
• emergency services can train and prepare for disaster
• government can plan evacuation routes to get people away quickly

Question 14

Protection against tropical storms

Answer 14

• buildings can be build to withstand tropical storms, using reinforced concrete
• flood defences build along rivers, coasts
• this reduces the number of building destroyed, so fewer people will be injured or killed

Question 15

Hurricanes location

Answer 15

In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Question 16

Typhoons location

Answer 16

In the west of the Northen Pacific Ocean.

Question 17

Cyclones location

Answer 17

Indian and South Pacific Ocean.

Question 18

Location of tropical storms

Answer 18

Found in areas of low latitude, between 5 degrees and 30 degrees north and south of the Equator.

Question 19

Why does not tropical storm develop along the equator?

Answer 19

Because the Coriolis effect is not strong enough here for the tropical storm to spin.

Question 20

The hot rising air…

Answer 20

draws up more air and large volumes of moisture from ocean, causing strong winds.

Question 21

The Coriolis effect causes the air to…..

Answer 21

spin upwards around a calm central eye.

Question 22

As the air rises, it cools and…

Answer 22

condenses to form large, towering cumulonimbus clouds.

Question 23

Cumulonimbus clouds generate…

Answer 23

torrential rainfall.

Question 24

The heat is given off when the air…

Answer 24

cools powers the tropical storm.

Question 25

The tropical storms travel across the ocean in the...

Answer 25

prevailing wind.

Question 26

Tropical storms travel from...

Answer 26

east to west due to the direction in which the Earth spins. When they hit a land, the change in the direction is unknown.

Question 27

Tropical storms in northern hemisphere track...(over land)

Answer 27

north.

Question 28

Tropical storms in southern hemisphere track...(over land)

Answer 28

south.

Question 29

Wind category 1

Answer 29

- 119-153 km/h - some damage to the roof - shallowly rooted trees may be toppled - extensive damage to power lines

Question 30

Wind category 2

Answer 30

- 154-177 km/h - well constructed houses could sustain major roof and siding damage - many shallowly rooted trees will be toppled - near-total power loss

Question 31

Wind category 3

Answer 31

- 178-208 km/h - well constructed homes will incur damage or removal of the roof - topped trees block roads

Question 32

Wind category 4

Answer 32

- 209-251 km/h - well constructed homes will sustain a severe damage, with loss of some exterior walls - most trees will be topped

Question 33

Wind category 5

Answer 33

- more than 252 km/h - a high percentage of homes will be destroyed, with wall failure - topped trees will isolate residential areas