Weather Phenomena SHS GEOGRAPHY

Monsoons Monsoons are wind patterns in South and Southeast Asia. There are two types of monsoons in South Asia, the winter monsoon and the summer monsoon.

Monsoons Summer Monsoon - The wind blows from the southwest, bringing moist ocean air that causes rain. Winter Monsoon - The wind blows from the northeast, bringing dry air.

Monsoons The summer monsoon brings heavy rainfall to South and Southeast Asia and can cause severe flooding. However, the rain is also beneficial because people need the water for irrigation.

Tropical Storms Tropical storms are storms that form over water and are characterized by strong winds and thunderstorms that rotate around an eye. Tropical storms have different names around the world.

Tropical Storms Tropical storms form in the low latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. This area is also known as the tropics. Tropical storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea are called hurricanes. Tropical storms that form in the Pacific near Asia or the Indian Ocean are called typhoons.

Tropical Storms Tropical storms form over water and are fueled by heat that is released when moist air rises. When tropical storms move over land they generally lose power. The hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is between June and November. The typhoon season in the Southwest Pacific is from October to May.

Tropical Storms Hurricanes can affect people in several different ways: They cause storm surges (a large wave that can flood areas low in elevation). They destroy houses with violent winds. They cause flooding from severe rain.

Tropical Storms Why do fewer people die from tropical storms in developed countries? Developed countries have better infrastructures. Houses and buildings must be built according to building codes. Developed countries have better warning systems so people can prepare for storms. Developed countries have systems in place to help people after the storm is over.

Tropical Storms Other things people can do to prepare for tropical storms. Build dams or dykes to stop storm surges. Build shelters to protect people from storm surges or high winds. Designate evacuation routes.

Tropical Storms Some countries that have many tropical storms: Cuba, U.S., Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Tornadoes A tornado is a twisting, funnel shaped storm. Tornadoes can occur on every continent but they are most commonly found in North America.

Tornadoes Tornado Alley is a term created by the media to refer to an area in middle America that gets many tornadoes. A few states in this area are Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Tornadoes The Fujita scale rates the intensity of a tornado on a scale from 0 to 5. An F0 will cause light damage and an F5 will completely destroy buildings and even skyscrapers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32L5OtnIPGk

Droughts A drought is a prolonged period of time with no precipitation. Droughts are common in arid regions and can cause severe hardship. Droughts in Africa have caused thousands of people to migrate in search of food and water.