Tropical Cyclone, Hurricane, Storm Formation explained | Cyclone Biparjay in Arabian Sea, Gujarat

Summary

This video explores tropical cyclones, explaining their formation and characteristics. Originating over warm ocean waters in tropical regions, these storms are defined by their low-pressure centers and the Coriolis effect, which influences their rotation direction—counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The video highlights the crucial role of moisture supply from oceans, which fuels these intense storms, leading to their dissipation upon making landfall. Seasonal occurrences are noted, with cyclones forming predominantly from July to October in the Northern Hemisphere and December to March in the Southern Hemisphere, emphasizing the impact of solar radiation.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Tropical cyclones form over oceans in tropical regions near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
• 🌪️ Different names are used for tropical cyclones depending on the region: 'cyclones' in the Indian Ocean, 'typhoons' in the western Pacific, and 'hurricanes' in the Atlantic.
• ☀️ The tropical region receives the most solar radiation, resulting in warm air and low-pressure systems essential for cyclone formation.
• 💨 Wind movement is influenced by high and low-pressure areas, with air flowing from high-pressure zones to low-pressure zones.
• 🌡️ Low pressure occurs when warm air rises, while high pressure occurs in cooler areas, such as the poles.
• 🌐 The Coriolis force, caused by Earth's rotation, deflects winds: to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 🔄 The eye of the cyclone is a low-pressure area that attracts cool air from surrounding high-pressure regions, creating a spinning effect.
• 🔄 Cyclones spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect.
• 🚢 Tropical cyclones thrive over warm ocean waters, gaining moisture; they weaken upon landfall due to the loss of this moisture.
• 📏 The average diameter of tropical cyclones is between 150 to 250 kilometers, but they can be significantly larger in certain regions like the Bay of Bengal.

Q & A

What are tropical cyclones and where do they originate?

Tropical cyclones are intense storm systems that originate over warm oceans in tropical areas, particularly near the equator.

What different names are used for tropical cyclones in various regions?

In the Indian Ocean, they are called 'cyclones'; in the western Pacific, they are referred to as 'typhoons'; and in the Atlantic, they are known as 'hurricanes'.

Why does the tropical region receive the most solar radiation?

The tropical region receives direct and vertical sunlight, which is more effective at producing heat and light compared to the slanting rays that reach the polar regions.

What role does atmospheric pressure play in the formation of winds?

Winds are generated by differences in atmospheric pressure, blowing from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, creating a pressure gradient.

What is the Coriolis force and how does it affect wind movement?

The Coriolis force is generated by the Earth's rotation, causing winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

How do tropical cyclones form and develop?

Cyclones form in areas of low pressure where warm air rises, creating a void that cool air rushes in to fill. This continuous cycle of rising warm air and incoming cool air creates a storm system.

What is the significance of the 'eye' of the storm in a cyclone?

The 'eye' of the storm is the calm center of a cyclone where low pressure attracts cool air, surrounding it with a ring of strong winds known as the eye wall.

How does the temperature affect the development of clouds within a cyclone?

As warm, moist air rises in a cyclone, it cools at higher altitudes, causing the moisture to condense into clouds.

What happens to a tropical cyclone when it makes landfall?

When a tropical cyclone crosses land, it loses its source of moisture and generally weakens as it moves away from the ocean.

What are the typical diameters of tropical cyclones, and how do they compare in different regions?

The average diameter of a tropical cyclone ranges from 150 to 250 kilometers, but those in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean can be much larger, between 600 and 1200 kilometers.