1.3.7

Tropical Storm Causes

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Formation of Tropical Storms

Tropical storms form over water that is 26.5oC or warmer and when there's a small difference in wind speeds between the upper atmosphere and the lower atmosphere.

Illustrative background for When do tropical storms form?Illustrative background for When do tropical storms form? ?? "content

When do tropical storms form?

  • Tropical storms form over water that is 26.5oC or warmer.
  • Lots and lots of energy is released when air evaporates, rises or cools. This increases the speed and energy of a storm.
  • The strength of a storm falls as they move further away from warm water (so when storms are above land or above cooler parts of the ocean).
Illustrative background for Why do tropical storms move west?Illustrative background for Why do tropical storms move west? ?? "content

Why do tropical storms move west?

  • Near the equator, surface winds are mainly trade winds moving east.
  • The trade winds and something called the Coriolis Effect mean that tropical storms move from east to west.
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Spin

  • The rotation of the Earth causes the Coriolis effect, which makes tropical storms spin by deflecting winds.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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