Global Distribution of Tropical Storms:
Tropical storm = area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around a calm central point
○ Warm air rises to create an area of intense low pressure
○ Powerful winds spiral around this area (calm central point)
○ Warm air cools and condenses into heavy rainfall and thunderstorms
● Tropical storms have different names depending on its location
○ Hurricane = Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans (eg/ USA)
○ Typhoon = North-West Pacific Ocean (eg/ Japan)
○ Cyclone = Indian and South Pacific Oceans (eg/ Bangladesh)
● Tropical storms have their own unique international name
○ Predetermined by the World Meteorological Organization
○ Alphabetical and alternate in gender
○ More recognisable and engaging for the public when given names rather than coordinates
○ Names repeat every 6 years unless a large loss of life occurs (insensitive to repeat the name)
Reasons for distribution:
● Tropical storms occur in the tropics → mainly where ITCZ lies
● Usually found in areas of low latitude between 5° and 30° of the equator → higher insolation
● Sea temperature must be above 27°C and a depth of 60 – 70m (warm tropical ocean)
○ Provides heat and moisture → causes warm air to rise rapidly in low pressure region
○ Latent heat/thermal energy is released → powers the tropical storm
● Warmest seasons are between summer and autumn (seasons vary with location)
● Usually low wind shear → wind which remains constant and does not vary in height
○ As winds rise they increase in speed → due to less friction with the surface
● Tropical storms do not form along the Equator → Coriolis effect not being strong enough for storms to spin