A storm is an extreme weather phenomenon that forms from complex atmospheric systems, typically occurring over tropical seas. To understand why storms happen, we need to consider the main factors that cause this phenomenon:
Formation of a Storm: A storm (also known as a tropical cyclone) forms when the following conditions are met:
High sea surface temperatures (above 26.5°C): Warm seawater causes strong evaporation, providing a large amount of energy in the form of water vapour.
High humidity in the atmosphere: The water vapour rises and condenses at higher levels in the atmosphere, releasing latent heat, which helps to fuel the storm's development.
Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect): This effect causes the air to spiral around a low-pressure centre, creating the characteristic rotation of the storm.
Low-pressure centre: The rising warm air lowers the pressure at the centre, drawing more air from the surrounding area. This process repeats and strengthens the storm.
Storm Development Process:
Initially, the storm is just a tropical low-pressure system.
When it receives enough energy from warm seawater, the storm intensifies into stronger stages: tropical depression → tropical storm → hurricane/typhoon.
When it moves inland or into colder waters, the storm weakens as it loses its energy source.
Why Are Storms Dangerous?
Strong winds: These cause damage to buildings, trees, and infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall: This leads to flooding and landslides.
Large waves and storm surges: There is a risk of coastal erosion and destruction of coastal areas.
In summary, a storm is the result of a complex interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. It is a natural part of Earth's climate system, but it can become more intense due to climate change, as rising global temperatures provide more energy for storms.
Share
Tweet
Email
Share
Share
