Tropical cyclones form where sea temperatures are high, usually at about 27 degrees celsius. They originate on the eastern side of oceans, but move west, intensifying as they move. Most of these systems form between 10 and 30 degrees of the equator and 87% form within 20 degrees of it. Because the Coriolis effect initiates and maintains tropical cyclone rotation, tropical cyclones rarely form or move within about 5 degrees of the equator, where the Coriolis effect is weakest.[64] However, it is possible for tropical cyclones to form within this boundary as did Typhoon Vamei in 2001 and Cyclone Agni in 2004.
The formation of tropical cyclones is the topic of extensive ongoing research and is still not fully understood. Six factors appear to be generally necessary, although tropical cyclones may occasionally form without meeting all of these conditions:
1. Water temperatures of at least 26.5 °C (80°F) down to a depth of at least 50 m (150 feet). Waters of this temperature cause the overlying atmosphere to be unstable enough to sustain convection and thunderstorms.
2. Rapid cooling with height. This allows the release of latent heat, which is the source of energy in a tropical cyclone.
3. High humidity, especially in the lower-to-mid troposphere. When there is a great deal of moisture in the atmosphere, conditions are more favorable for disturbances to develop.
4. Low wind shear. When wind shear is high, the convection in a cyclone or disturbance will be disrupted, preventing formation of the feedback loop.
5. Distance from the equator. This allows the Coriolis force to deflect winds blowing towards the low pressure center, causing a circulation. The minimum distance is about 500 km (310 miles) or 5 degrees from the equator.
6. A pre-existing system of disturbed weather. The system must have some sort of circulation as well as a low pressure center.
2007-01-30 04:09:17
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answer #1
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answered by MSK 4
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It is the giant found in water vapor.When u vaporize water ,each cc evaporated will absorber 60 cal. so when all this water collides with a cold front there is a tremendous amount of energy released.
2007-01-30 10:43:35
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answer #2
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answered by JOHNNIE B 7
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