2.5 Tropical Cylcones

2.5 Tropical Cyclones

1.       What are tropical cyclones?

A localized, very intense low-pressure wind system, forming over tropical oceans and with winds of hurricane force.

2.       Where do tropical cyclones occur?

They occur in tropical regions of the world.

3.       Name the areas of Australia most at risk from tropical cyclones.

They occur over the northern areas of Australia. They generally affect areas north of Perth along the coasts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, most of the Queensland coastline and occasionally the far north coast of New South Wales.

4.       How many tropical cyclones are expected to cross the Australian coastline each year?

Six

5.       What are some other names for tropical cyclones?

Hurricanes or typhoons.

6.       Complete the passage below.

Tropical cyclones develop in the tropical regions of the world. Heat from the sun causes warm, moist air to rise into the atmosphere. As the air rises, a low pressure system forms and condensation occurs, which releases latent heat causing the air to rise further into the atmosphere. If the air pressure in the upper atmosphere is high, then the rising column of warm air will spiral outwards in the upper atmosphere and air will rush from the surface to replace it, forming a tropical cyclone.

7.       What is the eye of a tropical cyclone?

Is a region of mostly calm weather found at the centre of strong tropical cyclones.

8.       Draw an annotated diagram to show the main features of a tropical cyclone.

9.    

   What causes a tropical cyclone to be downgraded to a tropical storm?

When the warm, moist air is no longer present.