There is a wide variety of meteorological phenomena that are amazing and some of them can even be dangerous. For example, a very typical meteorological phenomenon in tropical areas is the tropical cyclones. Once these tropical cyclones evolve with increasingly stronger winds, they are already considered true tropical storms. But what are tropical storms? How are they formed and why do they occur? How are they different from subtropical storms?
The answers to these doubts and other data, related to the strong effects of tropical storms, we tell you in this article by Ecologist Verde.
What is a tropical storm
As we mentioned, a tropical storm is a meteorological phenomenon that originates from the evolution of a tropical cyclone. A tropical cyclone can be considered a true tropical storm when its average speed is within the range between 63 and 118 km / h. Other terms used, depending on their strength and location, are typhoon, hurricane, tropical depression, cyclone or tropical storm proper. The name of tropical is basically due to the fact that originate in tropical regions.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of these types of storms is that there is a closed circulation around a low pressure center, which generates strong winds and a high amount of rainfall. In turn, these storms are nourished by the energy that comes from the condensation of humid air, which contributes to the generation of strong winds.
Why is a tropical storm forming
Tropical storms are produced by a combination of meteorological factors like winds, big and strong waves, torrential rains, tornadoes and even strong storm surges. Tropical storms often develop over large areas of warm water and require:
- Water temperatures above 26ºC to depths of about 50 meters, which allow the atmosphere to be so unstable as to generate and maintain convective currents and electrical storms.
- Sudden cooling at altitude. This phenomenon allows the expulsion of latent heat, which will act as an energy source for the storm to be generated.
- High enough humidity as if to allow an unstable atmosphere. This moisture must develop especially at low or medium heights in the troposphere.
- Wind shear forces that do not interrupt convection currents.
Storms will lose their strength when they enter inland, so tropical storms do the most damage in coastal areas and not inland.
If you live in areas where this phenomenon is common, it is advisable to take certain precautions such as having an emergency plan to know what to do and where to take refuge while this storm lasts and to have elements that illuminate and sufficient supplies.
What is the difference between subtropical tropical storms
A subtropical storm It presents intermediate characteristics between the tropical and subtropical systems, which include the absence of cold or warm fronts and zones of winds and electrical storms that are further away from the center of circulation. Often times, mature subtropical systems tend to have a large cloud absent center and a zone of less symmetrical winds than the tropical ones. That is, while in a storm the maximum winds are located near the center of the storm, in the subtropics they develop further.
Generally, subtropical storms are more related to depressions in height and reach cooler temperatures in the highest areas of the storm, while tropical storms have a warmer center and they are intensified by the high pressure systems found in height.
Some effects of tropical storms
It is estimated that about 80 tropical storms occur annually in the planet. The main affected regions are in the Atlantic Ocean, the eastern, western and southern Pacific Ocean. However, climate change is making these storms increasingly difficult to predict.
The main consequence of these storms are undoubtedly the floods important that generate and that produce significant damage, both material and damage to infrastructures, loss of crops or homes, as well as personal and human victims and major accidents. Other consequences that also generate significant damage are strong winds and waves at sea.
Even if tropical storms have catastrophic effects very important in the populations where they are produced, they can also become important atmospheric circulation mechanisms, balancing and stabilizing the temperature, significantly reducing the effects of droughts or transporting heat from the tropics to the more temperate regions.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are tropical storms, we recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.
