*Refer to Chapter 12 in your Textbook Learning Goals 1. I can explain how a monsoon forms. 2. I can explain how a cyclone forms. 3. I can compare and contrast the two types of cyclones. 4. I can identify the wind speed of a given hurricane category. Monsoons Monsoons: are seasonal wind pattern changes caused by temperature differences between the land and sea Monsoons occur when warm air over a continent rises and is replaced by cool, moist air from the over the ocean Monsoons cause summers with extreme wind and rainfall and winters with very little Cyclones Cyclones: are large, rotating storm systems Cyclones occurs when moist winds converge in a low pressure system Coriolis causes the winds to spiral inward Cyclones rotate clockwise in the North Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the South Hemisphere Cyclones Types of Cyclones: Mid-Latitude: thrive on cold air, create Noreasters (snow) Tropical: thrive on warm air, can strengthen to become typhoons (Pacific) or hurricanes (Atlantic) Storm Classifications Tropical depression: Cluster of organized thunderstorms Given a number, not named yet 38 mph or less Tropical Storm: More organized than tropical depression Given a name (alphabetically) mph Storm Classifications Hurricanes strengthen to greater than 74 mph when more heat and moisture is added Causes serious damages, extreme wind and rain, storm surge, flooding, high waves, etc. Naming a Storm A list of names from A-W (excluding Q) Alternate from male to female 6 lists, repeated in cycle every 6 years Damaging and costly storm names are retired If more than 21 storms are named, they start using the Greek alphabet. Anatomy of a Hurricane Categories of Hurricanes Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Category 1: mph Category 2: mph Category 3: mph Category 4: mph Category 5: >156 mph Warnings and Watches Tropical storm/ Hurricane Watch- Tropical storm or hurricane force winds are possible within 48 hours. Tropical storm/Hurricane Warning- Tropical storm or hurricane force winds are expected within 36 hours.