Explained | How are Cyclones formed | Hurricanes and Cyclones | Curious DNA

Summary

This script explains cyclones' formation and progression from Tropical Cyclones to Super Cyclones, based on wind speed. It clarifies that Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons are the same phenomenon, named differently by region. Originating over warm waters with low atmospheric pressure, they form through Cyclogenesis. The script highlights the largest recorded cyclone, Typhoon Tip, and emphasizes the importance of warm water for their sustenance, noting they dissipate over land.

Takeaways

• 🌀 Cyclones are categorized into Tropical Cyclones, Severe Cyclones, and Super Cyclones based on wind speed.
• 🏞️ Tropical Cyclones form when storm winds are less than 74 mph, Severe Cyclones when winds are 75-120 mph, and Super Cyclones when winds exceed 120 mph.
• 🌍 Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons are the same meteorological phenomenon but are named differently based on their location: 'Hurricane' in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, 'Typhoon' in the Northwest Pacific, and 'Cyclone' in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
• 🔄 Cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere typically rotate counterclockwise, while those in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise.
• 🌡️ Cyclones originate over large water bodies with low atmospheric pressure and water temperatures above 26.5°C.
• 🌬️ Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air acting on Earth's surface and decreases with altitude.
• 🌀 Cyclogenesis is the process by which low atmospheric pressure leads to the formation of a cyclone through the circulation and strengthening of air currents.
• 🌪️ As warm air rises and cold air descends, the circulation creates a spiral pattern, leading to the development of a cyclone.
• 🌍 Tropical Cyclones can range from 100 km to 2000 km in diameter and can last from 3 to 7 days, depending on various factors.
• 🏞️ Cyclones lose strength or dissipate when they move over land, primarily due to the loss of their heat source from warm water.
• 📊 Since 957 A.D., there have been at least 11,982 recorded tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with Typhoon Tip in 1979 being the largest and strongest on record.

Q & A

What are the three stages of cyclone development?

The three stages of cyclone development are Tropical Cyclones, Severe Cyclones, and Super Cyclones.

What is the wind speed range for a Tropical Cyclone?

A Tropical Cyclone is characterized by wind speeds of less than 74 miles per hour.

How is a Severe Cyclone differentiated from a Tropical Cyclone in terms of wind speed?

A Severe Cyclone has wind speeds between 75 to 120 miles per hour.

What is the wind speed threshold for a Super Cyclone?

A Super Cyclone is identified when the wind speed exceeds 120 miles per hour.

What are the different names for cyclones depending on their location?

In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, it is called a 'Hurricane'. In the Northwest Pacific, it is a 'Typhoon', and in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, it is referred to as a 'Cyclone'.

How can cyclones be classified based on hemispheres?

Cyclones in the Northern hemisphere are typically called Hurricanes, while those in the Southern hemisphere are called Cyclones.

What is the general atmospheric condition required for the formation of a cyclone?

Cyclones form when there is low atmospheric pressure over a large, warm water body with temperatures above 26.5°C.

What is atmospheric pressure and how does it vary with altitude?

Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air acting against the Earth's surface, including gravity. It is higher at the Earth's surface and decreases as altitude increases due to less air density.

What is the process called when thin air circulates, strengthens, and develops into a cyclonic formation?

The process is called Cyclogenesis.

Why do cyclones typically fade away when they cross land?

Cyclones fade away when crossing land because they lose their main source of energy, which is warm water. They require moist warm air to sustain themselves, and land surfaces or cold water surfaces disrupt this.

What is the largest cyclone ever recorded, and where did it occur?

The largest cyclone ever recorded is Typhoon Tip, which occurred in 1979 in the South Pacific Ocean near the Philippines, with a diameter of 2200 km and wind speeds of 190 miles per hour (305 km/hr), lasting for almost 20 days.

Outlines

00:00

🌀 Understanding Cyclones and Their Formation

This paragraph introduces cyclones, detailing their classification into Tropical Cyclones, Severe Cyclones, and Super Cyclones based on wind speed. It explains that cyclones are a meteorological phenomenon characterized by rotating organized clouds that form over bodies of water. The paragraph clarifies that cyclones are known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and retain the name 'cyclone' in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. It highlights the differences in cyclone direction between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The formation of cyclones, or cyclogenesis, is described as occurring when low atmospheric pressure over a large, warm water body leads to the development of a cyclonic system. The process involves warm, moist air rising and creating a spiraling motion as surrounding air rushes in to fill the low-pressure area. The paragraph also discusses the typical size, duration, and the factors contributing to the dissipation of cyclones, particularly their interaction with land.

05:06

🌪️ The Record-Breaking Typhoon Tip

This paragraph focuses on the historical context and records of cyclones, mentioning that there have been nearly 12,000 recorded tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans since 957 A.D. It specifically highlights 'Typhoon Tip' as the largest and strongest cyclone ever recorded, which occurred in 1979 near the Philippines. With a diameter of 2200 km and wind speeds reaching 190 miles per hour (305 km/hr), Typhoon Tip lasted for an impressive 20 days. The paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to subscribe to DNA for more informative videos on various topics including science, technology, and history.

Keywords

💡Tropical Cyclone

A Tropical Cyclone is a weather phenomenon characterized by a rotating storm system with winds blowing at a speed of less than 74 miles per hour. It is the mildest form of a cyclone and is part of the three-stage classification mentioned in the video. The term is crucial for understanding the severity scale of cyclones, as it sets the baseline for comparison with more intense cyclonic events. In the script, it is used to describe the initial stage of a cyclone's development.

💡Severe Cyclone

A Severe Cyclone refers to a cyclone with wind speeds ranging from 75 to 120 miles per hour. This term is significant as it indicates a cyclone that has intensified beyond the Tropical Cyclone stage, posing a greater threat due to its higher wind speeds. The script uses this term to illustrate the progression from a Tropical Cyclone to a more dangerous weather event.

💡Super Cyclone

A Super Cyclone is the most intense type of cyclone, with wind speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour. This term is central to the video's discussion on cyclone intensity, as it represents the pinnacle of cyclonic power. The script mentions Super Cyclones to emphasize the extreme weather conditions that can result from cyclonic development.

💡Cyclone

In a broader sense, a Cyclone is a general term for a large-scale air mass that rotates around a central region of low atmospheric pressure. The video script uses this term to encompass the entire category of rotating storm systems, highlighting the different stages and characteristics of these weather events.

💡Hurricane

A Hurricane is a term used specifically for a cyclone that forms over the Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific. This term is important for understanding regional variations in the naming of cyclones. The script clarifies that what is called a Hurricane in one region might be termed a Typhoon or Cyclone elsewhere.

💡Typhoon

A Typhoon is the term used for a cyclone that occurs in the Northwest Pacific. This keyword is significant as it demonstrates the geographical specificity in naming conventions for cyclones, as explained in the video script, where the same weather phenomenon is known by different names based on its location.

💡Cyclogenesis

Cyclogenesis refers to the process by which a cyclone forms, particularly the development of its spiral structure from the circulation of air around a low-pressure area. This term is crucial for understanding the formation of cyclones, as it describes the initial stages of cyclonic development, which is a key part of the video's educational content.

💡Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric Pressure is the weight of air in the Earth's atmosphere that presses against the surface, and it varies depending on altitude and weather conditions. The video script explains that cyclones form when there is low atmospheric pressure over a large water body, making this term essential for comprehending the environmental conditions necessary for cyclone formation.

💡Warm Water

The term 'Warm Water' is significant in the context of the video as it is a critical factor in the formation and sustenance of cyclones. The script mentions that water temperatures above 26.5°C are necessary for cyclones to form, emphasizing the role of warm water in providing the energy that fuels these weather systems.

💡Landfall

Landfall refers to the point where a cyclone makes its first contact with land. The video script discusses how cyclones typically weaken upon crossing land, as they lose their primary energy source, which is the warm water. This term is important for understanding the life cycle and dissipation of cyclones.

💡Typhoon Tip

Typhoon Tip is mentioned in the script as the largest and strongest cyclone ever recorded, which occurred in 1979. This example serves to illustrate the extreme scale that cyclones can reach, providing a historical reference point for the discussion on cyclone intensity and size.

Highlights

Cyclones occur in three stages: Tropical Cyclones, Severe Cyclones, and Super Cyclones.

Tropical Cyclones are storms with wind speeds less than 74 miles/hour.

Severe Cyclones have wind speeds between 75 to 120 miles/hour.

Super Cyclones are characterized by wind speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour.

Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons are different names for the same meteorological event, depending on the region.

In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, they are called 'Hurricanes'.

In the Northwest Pacific, they are known as 'Typhoons'.

In the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, they are referred to as 'Cyclones'.

Cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere are usually Hurricanes, and those in the Southern Hemisphere are Cyclones.

Cyclones are typically clockwise, while Hurricanes are counterclockwise.

Cyclones form when there is low atmospheric pressure over a large, warm water body.

Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air acting against the Earth's surface, influenced by gravity.

Cyclogenesis is the process of thin air circulating, strengthening, and developing into a cyclone.

Tropical Cyclones range from 100km to 2000km in diameter and can last from 3 to 7 days.

Cyclones lose strength or die when they cross land, due to the loss of their warm water source.

Since 957 A.D., there have been at least 11,982 recorded Tropical Cyclones.

The largest recorded cyclone was Typhoon Tip in 1979, with a diameter of 2200 km and wind speeds of 305 km/hr.

Typhoon Tip lasted for almost 20 days and is considered the largest and strongest cyclone in history.

Transcripts

Cyclones generally occur in 3 stages : Tropical Cyclones, severe Cyclones and Super cyclones.

When the storm in a Cyclone blows at a speed of less than 74 miles/hour, it is called a

Tropical Cyclone.

When it gets intense and the speed is between 75 to 120 miles/Hour, then it becomes a Cyclone

or a Severe Cyclone.

When the Speed increases for more than 120 miles per hour.

It becomes a Super Cyclone.

How are these cyclones formed?

Where are they initiated?

Hurricanes, Typhoons, what are they?

Let’s see.

By the way, Don’t forget to subscribe to DNA, so that you don’t miss out any of the

new videos that we post.

Cyclone is a general term used by meteorologists to describe any rotating, organized cloud

that originate over waters.

Cyclones, Hurricanes, Typhoons.

One Event but different names depending on the location.

In Atlantic and Northeast Pacific it is called “Hurricane” . In Northwest Pacific, it

is termed as “Typhoon” and in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean it is called a “Cyclone”.

You can also, classify them with hemispheres, the Northern ones as Hurricanes and Southern

ones as Cyclones.

There are also a few other differences in them apart from where they originate, like

the cyclones are usually Clockwise and Hurricanes are Counterclockwise.

Where do these Cyclones Originate?

When the Atmospheric pressure is low over a large waterbody, that is still and the temperature

of the water is more than 26.5*C, then they form into a cyclone.

What is atmospheric pressure in general terms?

The density of Air in our atmosphere differs from place to place, They are not same everywhere.

Atmospheric pressure is the weight of Air acting against the surface of the Earth, along

with Gravity.

Air in the atmosphere creates a pressure on Earth’s Surface called Atmospheric pressure.

Atmospheric pressure is more on the earth surface and as we move upwards, there is less

amount of air and hence atmospheric pressure decreases.

When there is low Atmospheric pressure on a Large water body on earth surface, they

turn into a cyclone.

This process of thin air circulating, strengthening and developing into Cyclonic formation is

called Cyclogenesis.

So how does it become a huge stormy, cloudy Cyclone?

When the atmospheric pressure is low, the warm air rises to fill the gaps and cold air

goes down, as they have moisture in it.

The warm air as it reaches the place, it becomes more warm and it rises rapidly Thus creating

more Gap.

So the surrounding air rushes in, to fill the place.

These filling air travels at greater speed and from longer distance.

When they reach the area, instead of filling the gaps, they start circulating thus creating

a spiral.

After that any air travelling to fill the gap has to join the spiral.

Because Air cannot pass through spiral directly.

Usually Tropical Cyclones range from 100kms to 2000kms in diameter.

When a large amount of air is rushing to fill the gap, they form huge Cyclones and the spiral

structure is becomes larger and larger penetrating the clouds and thus creating Thunderstorms.

Tropical Cyclones can grow up to a height of 10kms and they last from 3 – 7 days,

depending on the speed of the storm, how far it is from the land, and how big it is.

Cyclones usually fade away or die, when they cross the land area.

There is a misconception that the buildings and other interruptions on the land surface

act as a barrier and stop the cyclone.

But that’s not it.

When the Cyclonic Storm crosses the land surface, the main source of the cyclone, that is the

“warm water” is taken away.

Cyclones work with Moist warm Air.

So when it crosses a cold water surface or a land surface, they die.

Since 957 A.D, for almost 1000 years now, there has been at least 11,982 recorded Tropical

Cyclones in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.

And So far the largest ever recorded is the “Typhoon Tip” that occurred in 1979 in

the South Pacific ocean near Philippines, which was 2200 km in Diameter with a wind

speed of 190 miles per hour, that is 305km/hr.

It lasted for almost 20 days.

This is said to be the largest and strongest Cyclone ever recorded in history.

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