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Tropical Storms
SWBAT identify where tropical
cyclones originate; describe the life
cycle of a tropical cyclone; recognize
the dangers of hurricanes.
Tropical Cyclones
 Tropical

cyclone
A large, rotating, low-pressure storm
 Where
do tropical cyclones get their
energy?



From warm, tropical oceans
Latent heat stored from evaporation is
released when air rises and becomes clouds.
A low pressure area combined with the
Coriolis effect creates cyclonic rotation around
weather disturbances along the Intertropical
Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Formation of Tropical Storms
 What
two conditions are needed for
tropical storms to form?


Lots of warm ocean water
A disturbance to lift the air and keep it moving
 What
3 names are these tropical storms
know by?



Cyclones – near the Indian Ocean
Typhoons – western Pacific Ocean
Hurricanes – near Atlantic Ocean, the
Carribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico
Movement of Tropical Cyclones
 What
causes the movement of tropical
cyclones?

Wind Currents
Stages of Tropical Cyclones
 Stage



one
A traveling tropical disturbance causes the air
to rise.
Disturbances can originate from the ITCZ or a
low pressure system (called a tropical wave)
Very few disturbances become full fledged
hurricanes because condition throughout the
atmosphere must allow rising air to be
dispersed into the upper atmosphere.
Stages of Tropical Cyclones
 Stage


two – Tropical depression
Begins when the disturbance acquires a
cyclone circulates around a low pressure
center.
When wind speeds exceed 65 km/h it is called
a tropical storm.
Stages of Tropical Cyclones
 Stage


Three – Tropical storm
When winds reach 120 km/h it is officially
classified as a hurricane and a calm center
forms.
The strongest winds are concentrated around
the eye and called the eyeband.
Tropical Storms
 Eye

Calm center of the storm
 Eyewall

The strongest winds in a hurricane, usually
concentrated in a band surrounding the eye
Classifying Hurricanes
 Saffir-Simpson

Classifies hurricanes according to wind
speed, air pressure, and potential for damage
 Storm

Hurricane scale
surge
Occurs when hurricane force winds drive a
mound of ocean water toward coastal areas,
where it washes over the land
With a Partner
 Answer
questions 1-5 on page 346.
 Be sure to answer in complete sentences.
 Finish for homework.