1. Tropical Storms
SWBAT identify where tropical cyclones originate; describe the life cycle of a tropical cyclone; recognize the dangers of hurricanes.

2. Tropical Cyclones Tropical cyclone
A large, rotating, low-pressure storm
Where do tropical cyclones get their energy?
From warm, tropical oceans
Latent heat stored from evaporation is released when air rises and becomes clouds.
A low pressure area combined with the Coriolis effect creates cyclonic rotation around weather disturbances along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

3. Formation of Tropical Storms
What two conditions are needed for tropical storms to form?
Lots of warm ocean water
A disturbance to lift the air and keep it moving
What 3 names are these tropical storms know by?
Cyclones – near the Indian Ocean
Typhoons – western Pacific Ocean
Hurricanes – near Atlantic Ocean, the Carribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico

4. Movement of Tropical Cyclones
What causes the movement of tropical cyclones?
Wind Currents

5. Stages of Tropical Cyclones
Stage one
A traveling tropical disturbance causes the air to rise.
Disturbances can originate from the ITCZ or a low pressure system (called a tropical wave)
Very few disturbances become full fledged hurricanes because condition throughout the atmosphere must allow rising air to be dispersed into the upper atmosphere.

6. Stages of Tropical Cyclones
Stage two – Tropical depression
Begins when the disturbance acquires a cyclone circulates around a low pressure center.
When wind speeds exceed 65 km/h it is called a tropical storm.

7. Stages of Tropical Cyclones
Stage Three – Tropical storm
When winds reach 120 km/h it is officially classified as a hurricane and a calm center forms.
The strongest winds are concentrated around the eye and called the eyeband.

8. Tropical Storms Eye Eyewall Calm center of the storm
The strongest winds in a hurricane, usually concentrated in a band surrounding the eye

9. Classifying Hurricanes
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale
Classifies hurricanes according to wind speed, air pressure, and potential for damage
Storm surge
Occurs when hurricane force winds drive a mound of ocean water toward coastal areas, where it washes over the land

10. With a Partner Answer questions 1-5 on page 346.
Be sure to answer in complete sentences.
Finish for homework.