Specification

​Causes of tropical cyclone hazards, including ocean temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind shear and Coriolis force.

1. Ocean Temperature

1. What is the minimum ocean surface temperature that is required for a tropical cyclone to form? Draw a diagram to explain your answer.
Video from Nova Science 

​Study the graph on the right carefully. 

2. What correlation does it appear to show between ocean surface temperatures and the intensity of tropical cyclones? Use data to support your answer.

3. Based on your knowledge of the formation of tropical storms, what is the reason for this correlation?

4. Based on what you can see from this data, why do you think that climate scientists predict that climate change is likely to lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones?

2. Wind Shear
  1. Draw a diagram to explain what is meant by vertical wind shear.
  2. Why are tropical cyclones more likely to form and develop in areas with little wind shear?

3. Coriolis Force
1) Draw a diagram to explain fully how the coriolis force works!
2) Why is the coriolis effect crucial to the formation of the spiraling bands of wind in a tropical cyclone?
3) How does the coriolis effect help us to explain the distribution of tropical storms?

4. Investigation: are tropical storms increasing as the earth gets warmer?



​Work in pairs to investigate the question above. You should work to find out:
  • How is global temperature changing?
  • Is the number of tropical cyclones changing? How?
  • Is the intensity of tropical cyclones increasing? How?
  • Is there a connection between the two?
  • What do climate scientists have to say?