Structure of Atmosphere

Our atmosphere is composed of many components. But the structure of the atmosphere is a
combination of various layers.

The structure of the atmosphere is represented in a pictorial form below:

There are five layers in the structure of the atmosphere depending upon temperature. These
layers are:

• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
•
•
•
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere P-I Notes MMA
Troposphere

July 2022
 • It is considered as the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
• The troposphere starts at the surface of the earth and goes up to a height of 8 kms
(poles) to 18 kms (equator). The main reason of higher height at the equator is due to
presence of hot convection currents that push the gases upward.
• All kinds of weather changes occurs within this layer.
• This layer has water vapor and mature particles.
• Temperature decreases with increasing height of atmosphere at the rate of 1 degree
Celsius for every 165 m of height. This is called Normal lapse rate.
• Tropopause, the transitional zone, separates Troposphere and Stratosphere.

Stratosphere

• It is the second layer of the atmosphere found above the troposphere.

• It extends up to a height of 50 km from the earth’s surface.
• This layer is very dry as it contains little water vapour.
• This layer provides some advantages for flight because it is above stormy weather and
has steady, strong, horizontal winds.
• The ozone layer is found in this layer.
• The ozone layer absorbs UV rays and safeguards earth from harmful radiation.
• Stratopause separates Stratosphere and Mesosphere.

Mesosphere

• The Mesosphere is found above the stratosphere.

• It is the coldest of the atmospheric layers.
• The mesosphere starts at 50 km above the surface of Earth and goes up to 80 km.
• The temperature drops with altitude in this layer.
• By 80 km it reaches -100 degrees Celsius.
• Meteors burn up in this layer.
• The upper limit is called Mesopause which separates Mesosphere and Thermosphere.

Thermosphere

• This layer is found above Mesopause from 80 to 400 km.

• Radio waves that are transmitted from the earth are reflected by this layer.
• The temperature starts increasing again with increasing height in this layer.
• Aurora and satellites occur in this layer.

Ionosphere

• The lower Thermosphere is called the Ionosphere.

• The ionosphere consists of electrically charged particles known as ions.
• This layer is defined as the layer of the atmosphere of Earth that is ionized by cosmic
and solar radiation.
• It is positioned between 80 and 400 km above the Mesopause.

Exosphere

• It is the outermost layer of the atmosphere.

 • The zone where molecules and atoms escape into space is mentioned as the
exosphere.
• It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.

General Circulation of the Atmosphere

• The pattern of the movement of the planetary winds is called the general circulation of
the atmosphere.

Factors for General Circulation of the Atmosphere

• The pattern of planetary winds largely depends on:

o Latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating
o The emergence of pressure belts
o The migration of belts following the apparent path of the sun
o The distribution of continents and oceans
o The rotation of the earth
• The general circulation of the atmosphere also sets in motion the marine water
circulation which affects the climate of the Earth.
• The air at the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone) upsurges because of convection
caused by high insolation and low pressure is generated.
• The winds from the tropics join this low-pressure zone.
• The joined air upsurges along with the convective cell.
• It reaches the top of the troposphere up to an altitude of 14 km.
• It further moves toward the poles. This causes accumulation of air at about 30o North
and South.
• Another reason for sinking is the cooling of air when it reaches 30 degrees North and
South latitudes.
• Downward near the land surface, the air flows towards the equator as the easterlies.
• The easterlies from either side of the equator converge in the Inter-Tropical
Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
• Such circulations from the surface up and vice-versa are called cells.
• This type of cell in the tropics is called the Hadley Cell.
• In the mid-latitudes, the circulation is that of dipping cold air that comes from the poles
and the mounting warm air that blows from the subtropical high.
• At the surface, these winds are called westerlies and the cell is known as the Ferrel
cell.
• At polar latitudes, the cold dense air subsides near the poles and blows towards middle
latitudes as the polar easterlies. This cell is called the polar cell.
• These Ferrel cells, Hadley Cell, and polar cell set the configuration for the general

General Atmospheric Circulation and its Effects on Oceans

• The general circulation of the atmosphere also influences the oceans.

• Warming and cooling of the Pacific Ocean are most significant in terms of general
atmospheric circulation.
 • The warm water of the central Pacific Ocean gradually drifts towards the South
American coast and substitutes the cool Peruvian current.
• Such presence of warm water off the coast of Peru is known as the El Nino.
• The El Nino is associated with pressure variations in Australia and the Central Pacific.
• This variation in pressure conditions over the Pacific is known as the southern
oscillation.
• The combined phenomenon of El Nino and southern oscillation is known as ENSO.

Heating and Cooling of Atmosphere

1. There are various ways of heating and cooling of the atmosphere.
2. The earth after being warmed by insolation transfers the heat to the atmospheric layers
in the long waveform.

Conduction

1. The air in interaction with the land gets heated gradually and the upper layers in touch
with the lower layers also get heated. This process is called conduction.
2. This process takes place when two bodies of uneven temperature are in contact with
one another, there is a flow of energy from the warmer to the cooler body.
3. The heat transfer continues until both the bodies reach the same temperature or the
contact is interrupted.
4. This process is significant in heating the lower layers of the atmosphere.

Convection

1. The air in contact with the earth upsurges vertically on heating in the form of currents
and transfers the heat of the atmosphere.
2. This vertical heating of the atmosphere is known as convection.
3. The convective transfer of energy is limited only to the troposphere.

Advection

1. The transfer of heat through the horizontal movement of air is called advection.
2. The horizontal movement of the air is comparatively more significant than the vertical
movement.
3. Most of the diurnal variation in weather is caused by advection only in the middle
latitudes.
4. During summer in tropical regions predominantly in Northern India, local winds called
‘loo’ is the result of the advection process.

P-I Notes MMA

July 2022
Ocean Currents
What is Ocean Current? It is a horizontal movement of seawater that is produced by
gravity, wind, and water density. Ocean currents play an important role in the determination
of climates of coastal regions.

Ocean Water and Ocean Currents

The movement of ocean water is continuous. This movement of ocean water is broadly
categorized into three types:

• Waves
• Tides
• Currents

The streams of water that flow constantly on the ocean surface in definite directions are
called ocean currents.

Ocean currents are one of the factors that affect the temperature of ocean water.

• Warm ocean currents raise the temperature in cold areas

• Cold ocean currents decrease the temperature in warmer areas.

1. The magnitude of the ocean currents ranges from a few centimetres per second to as
much as 4 metres (about 13 feet) per second.
2. The intensity of the ocean currents generally decreases with increasing depth.
3. The speed of ocean currents is more than that of upwelling or downwelling which are
the vertical movements of ocean water.
4. There are two types of ocean currents:
o Warm Ocean Currents
o Cold Ocean Currents

What causes ocean currents?

Horizontal pressure-gradient forces, Coriolis forces, and frictional forces are important forces
that cause and affect ocean currents.

Rise and fall of the tide

Tides give rise to tidal currents. Near the shore, tidal currents are the strongest. The change in
tidal currents is periodical in nature and can be predicted for the near future. The speed of
tidal currents at some places can be around 8 knots or more.

Wind

The ocean currents at or near the ocean surface are driven by wind forces.

Thermohaline Circulation
‘Thermo’ stands for temperature and ‘Haline’ stands for salinity. The variations in
temperature and salinity at different parts of the oceans create density differences which in
turn affect the ocean currents.

What is a Frictional Force?

The movement of water through the oceans is slowed by friction, with surrounding fluid
moving at a different velocity. A faster-moving layer of water and a slower-moving layer of
water would impact each other. This causes momentum transfer between both layers
producing frictional forces.

What are geostrophic currents?

When the pressure gradient force on the ocean current is balanced by the Coriolis forces, it
results in the geostrophic currents.

• The direction of geostrophic flow is parallel to an isobar.

• The high pressure is to the right of the flow in the Northern Hemisphere, and the high
pressure to the left is found in the Southern Hemisphere.

North and South Equatorial Currents

North Equatorial Current

• North Equatorial Current flows from east to west in the Pacific and the Atlantic
Ocean.
• North Equatorial Current flows between the latitudes of 10 degrees and 20 degrees
north.
• It is not connected to the equator.
• Equatorial circulation separates this current between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

South Equatorial Current

• It flows in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.

• The direction of the south equatorial current is east to west.
• The latitudes in which the current flows are between the equator and 20 degrees
south.
• It flows across the equator to 5 degrees north latitudes in the Pacific and Atlantic
Oceans.

What is the Equatorial Counter Current?

It is found in the following three oceans:

• Indian Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean
• Pacific Ocean

It is found between north and south equatorial currents at about 3-10 degrees north latitude.
What is Antarctic Circumpolar Current?

The ocean current that flows clockwise around the Antarctic is called the Antarctic
Circumpolar Current. It is also called West Wind Drift. It is a feature of ocean circulation of
the Southern Ocean.

• It does not have a well-defined axis

• It consists of a series of individual currents which are separated by frontal zones.

What is a Global Conveyor Belt?

A system of ocean currents that helps in the transportation of water around the world is called
a global conveyor belt. As per National Geographic, “Along this conveyor belt, heat and
nutrients are moved around the world in a leisurely 1000-year cycle.”

Distribution of Ocean Currents

The ocean currents are distributed across five oceans. The list of important ocean-wise
currents is given below:

Ocean Currents in Arctic Ocean

Ocean Current Cold/Warm
Baffin Island Current Cold
Labrador Current Cold
Ocean Currents in Atlantic Ocean
Angola Current Warm
Antilles Current Warm
Benguela Current Cold
Brazil Current Cold
Cape Horn Current Cold
Carribean Current Warm
Falkland Current Cold
Florida Current Warm
North Atlantic Current Warm
South Atlantic Current Cold
Ocean Currents in Indian Ocean
Agulhas Current
Leeuwin Current
Mozambique Current Warm
Warm
Warm P-I Notes
West Australian Current Cold
Ocean Currents in Pacific Ocean
Alaska Current
Humboldt Current
Warm
Cold
MMA
Kamchatka Current Cold
July 2022
Kuroshio Current Warm
North Pacific Current Warm

Q 1. What is meant by Ocean current?

Ans. An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by a

number of forces acting upon the water. The movement of ocean water is continuous and this
movement of ocean water is broadly categorized into three types: waves, tides and currents.

Q 2. What are tidal currents

Ans. Tidal currents occur in conjunction with the rise and fall of the tide.
The strongest tidal currents occur at or around the peak of high and low tides.

P-I Notes MMA

July 2022
P-I Notes
MMA July
2022
P-I Notes
MMA July
2022
Ocean Waves
Waves

• Waves are formed by energy passing through water, resulting it to move in a circular
motion.
• Water particles travel only in a small circle as a wave passes.
• The Wind provides energy to the waves.
• The Wind causes waves to travel in the ocean and the energy is released on coastlines.
• The movement of the surface water rarely affects the stagnant deep bottom water of the
oceans.
• As a wave approaches the coastline, it slows down. This is due to the friction happening
between the moving water and the seafloor.
• When the depth of water is less than half the wavelength of the wave, the wave breaks.
• The largest waves are found in the open oceans.
• Waves continue to grow larger as they move and absorb energy from the wind.
• The size and shape of the waves reveal its origin.
• Steep waves are young ones and are perhaps created by local wind.
• Slow and steady waves originate from faraway places, probably from another
hemisphere.

Characteristics of Waves

Characteristics of Waves
The highest of a wave is called the crest.
Wave crest and
The lowest point of a wave is called the trough.
trough

It is the perpendicular distance from the bottom of

a trough to the top of a crest of a wave.
Wave height

Wave amplitude It is one-half of the wave height.

It is merely the time interval between two
successive wave crests or troughs as they pass a
Wave period fixed point.

It is the horizontal distance between two

successive crests.
Wavelength

It is the rate at which the wave moves through the

water.
Wave speed
It is measured in knots.
Types Of Clouds
Clouds are an important part of the earth’s weather and climate. Clouds form when water
condenses in the sky. Clouds are visible accumulations of tiny water droplets or ice crystals
in the Earth’s atmosphere.

How do Clouds form?

Clouds form from water in the sky. The water may evaporate from the ground or move from
other areas. Water vapour may be invisible but it is always in the sky in some amount. Clouds
form when an area of air becomes cooler until the water vapour there condenses to liquid
form. The water will condense around dust, ice, or sea salt.

Why are Clouds Important?

1. They are needed for rains or snow.

2. During the nights, clouds reflect heat to the earth and keep the temperature warm.
3. During the day, clouds help in keeping the temperature cooler by shielding the
sunlight.
4. Researching and studying clouds helps in understanding weather and climate.

What are the 2 main factors that will determine the type of clouds formed?

1. Temperature
2. Wind

How are Clouds Classified?

Clouds are classified based on 2 major factors.

1. Physical Form
2. Height at which Clouds are formed

What are the 4 major classifications of clouds based on

their physical forms?
According to their altitude, stretch, density, and transparency or opaqueness clouds are
classified into four types which are given below.

1. Cirrus
2. Cumulus
3. Stratus
4. Nimbus

What are Cirrus Clouds?

 1. Cirrus clouds are formed at high altitudes of 8,000 – 12,000m.
2. They are detached thin clouds.
3. They have a feathery appearance.
4. They are always white.

What are Cumulus Clouds?

1. Cumulus clouds are generally formed at a height of 4,000 m – 7,000 m.

2. They look like cotton wool.
3. They exist in patches and can be seen dispersed here and there.
4. They have a flat base.

What are Stratus Clouds?

1. Stratus clouds are horizontal.

2. Stratus clouds are stratified or layered clouds covering big portions of the sky.
3. These clouds are usually formed due to the mixing of air masses with various
temperatures or due to loss of heat.
4. The presence of stratus clouds means chilly, overcast day.

What are the Nimbus Clouds?

1. Nimbus clouds are usually formed at lower altitudes.

2. The colour of Nimbus clouds is usually black or dark grey.
3. Nimbus clouds block the sunlight
4. These types of clouds usually cause heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Which is the type of clouds that bring rainfall or snowfall?

Clouds with the prefix “nimbo” or the suffix “nimbus” bring rainfall and snowfall.
Nimbostratus clouds bring continuous rainfall or snowfall that may continue for a very long
duration.

Cumulonimbus clouds are also called thunderheads. Thunderheads produce rain, thunder, and
lightning.

Classification based on the altitude of Clouds formation

Clouds are classified based on their formation at different heights. The altitude at which
certain categories of clouds form varies based on the polar region, tropical region, etc.

Below table gives the classification of clouds and the associated types of clouds

Classification of clouds Types of clouds

1. Cirrus
2. Cirrostratus
High clouds
3. Cirrocumulus
 1. Altostratus
Middle clouds 2. Altocumulus

1. Stratocumulus
Low clouds 2. Nimbostratus

1. Cumulus
Clouds with extensive vertical development 2. Cumulonimbus

High-Level Clouds

1. Polar Regions – they form at altitudes of 3000 m (10,000 ft) to 7600 m (25,000 ft).
2. Temperate Regions – they form at altitudes of 5000 m (16,500 ft) to 12,200 m (40,000
ft).
3. Tropical Regions – they form at altitudes of 6,100 m (20,000 ft) to 18,300 m (60,000
ft).

Mid-Level Clouds

1. Non-vertical clouds in the middle level are prefixed by the alto.

2. At any latitude, these clouds are formed as low as 2000 m (6500 ft) above the surface.
3. These clouds can be formed as high as 4,000 m (13,000 ft) near the poles
4. These clouds are formed at an altitude of 7,600 m (25,000 ft) in the tropical region.

Low-level Clouds

1. These clouds are formed near the surface up to 2000 m (6500 ft).
2. These types of clouds have no prefix.

What is Nephology?

Nephology is the science of clouds, which is undertaken in the cloud physics branch of
meteorology.

How do meteorologists measure cloud cover?

1. Oktas is the measurement unit that is used to measure the amount of visible sky that is
covered by clouds.
2. An okta estimates how many eighths of the sky is covered in clouds.
3. The clear sky is measured as 0 oktas.
4. An overcast or grey sky is measured as 8 oktas.

What are the 3 main types of clouds?

Cumulus, Stratus, and Cirrus. There are three main cloud types. Cumulus clouds are the puffy
clouds that look like puffs of cotton. Cumulus clouds that do not get very tall are indicators of
fair weather..
What is the highest type of cloud?

Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in the sky, however, they are not associated with
weather like the rest of the clouds in this table.

Is fog a cloud?

Clouds can form at many different altitudes. They can be as high as 12 miles above sea level
or as low as the ground. Fog is a kind of cloud that touches the ground. Fog forms when the
air near the ground cools enough to turn its water vapor into liquid water or ice.

Why are clouds white?

In a cloud, sunlight is scattered by much larger water droplets. These scatter all colours
almost equally meaning that the sunlight continues to remain white and so making the clouds
appear white against the background of the blue sky.

How high can a cloud go?

At the upper reaches of the troposphere you’ll find high clouds, which, depending on
geographic location, occur between roughly 10,000 and 60,000 feet. Below that is the home
of mid-level clouds, which generally occur between 6,000 and 25,000 feet.

What kind of weather do cumulus clouds bring?

Mostly, cumulus indicates fair weather, often popping up on bright sunny days. Though if
conditions allow, cumulus can grow into towering cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus
clouds, which can produce showers.

Is fog a liquid or gas?

Fog is like a cloud, but it is near the ground, not high in the sky. Thick fog makes it difficult
to see the surrounding landscape. Fog forms from water vapor, which is water in the form of
a gas. Water vapor in the air condenses, or turns back into liquid, when the air cools.

What are the 4 types of fog?

There are several different types of fog, including radiation fog, advection fog, valley fog,
and freezing fog. Radiation fog forms in the evening when heat absorbed by the Earth’s
surface during the day is radiated into the air. As heat is transferred from the ground to the
air, water droplets form.

What is fog over water called?

Fog that forms over water is commonly referred to as sea fog or lake fog. It forms when
warm, moist air flows over relatively colder waters. Sea or lake fog can occur over the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.
What is the Tide?
The gravitational pull of the celestial bodies on the Earth and the ocean leads to the formation
of tides.

• What is the tide?

• What are the types of tides?
• How do tides work?
• What causes tides?
• What is the tidal bulge?
• What are the characteristics of tides?

What is the tide?

Tides can be defined as the alternate rise and fall of the ocean water. It is caused by the
combined effects of :

1. The gravitational force exerted on Earth by the Sun

2. The gravitational force exerted on Earth by the Moon
3. Rotation of the Earth

What are the types of tides & what causes these tides?

The table below briefs the types of tides followed by detailed explanations:

Types of Tides
Semi-Diurnal Tides
Tides Based on Frequency Diurnal Tides
Mixed
Spring Tides
Tides Based on the Position of Earth, Sun, and the Moon
Neap Tides

P-I Notes MMA

July 2022
Semi-Diurnal Tides

A semi-diurnal tidal cycle is the one with two nearly equal high tides and two low tides each
day. The interval between the high and the low tides is of around 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Semi-Diurnal Tides are most widespread in the Indian Ocean. The other prevalent coasts
where semi-diurnal tides are experiences are:

• Eastern African Coast

• Bay of Bengal

Diurnal Tides

It means four tides in a day. Two tides by the sun and two by the moon. Spring Tide It is an
exceptionally high tide generated by the complementary factor played by the Sun with respect
to the moon. It should be noted that when Sun, Moon, and Earth are in the same line, the
position is known as the Syzygy. This syzygy can be of 2 types :

1. Conjunction: when the moon and sun are on the same side
2. Opposition: When the moon and sun are on the opposite side In both of these
conditions, the magnitude of the tide will be equally high.

Mixed Tides

A tidal cycle with two unequal high and low tides lead to the formation of the mixed tidal
cycle, or simply called mixed tide. This tidal cycle has both semi-diurnal and diurnal
oscillations. It is widely observed in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Southeastern
Brazilian coast also witnesses mixed tides.
Spring Tides

Spring tides are formed when the sun and the moon are in line with each other and pull the
ocean surface in the same direction. This leads to higher high tides and lowers low tides and
such tide is called a spring tide. In a lunar month, it occurs twice. It is also known by the
name of ‘King Tide.’

Note: The aspirants should know that the spring season has nothing to do with spring tides.
The word ‘Spring’ in spring tides means ‘springing forth.’ These occur in full or new moon
days. In both new moon or full moon days, the sun’s gravitational pull is added to the
moon’s gravitational pull on Earth, causing the oceans to bulge a bit more than usual. This
results in ‘higher’ high tides and ‘lower’ low tides.

Neap Tides

It occurs seven days after the spring tide. The prominent point is that the sun and the moon are
at the right angle to each other. This tide occurs during the first and the last quarter of the moon.
The gravitational pull of the moon and the resulting oceanic bulge is cancelled out by the
gravitational pull of the sun and its resulting oceanic bulge. Also, in contrast to spring tides,
the high tides are ‘lower’ and the low tides are comparatively ‘higher’ in neap tides.

How do tides work?

The mechanism of tides could be understood by understanding the gravitational force of the
Sun and the Moon. These bodies experience the gravitational pull over each other depending
upon their mass and the distance between them. Since the Sun is far away from the Earth as
compared to the Moon. Hence, the Sun’s gravitational pull is lesser over the Earth than the
moon. Thus, the moon determines the magnitude of the tide. It is supposed that only the
water bodies are pulled by the gravitational pull, however, it is not the fact. It is both the land
and water bodies that get pulled by the gravitation. Since the relative pull of the land is less in
comparison to that of water, the effect of gravitation on the water bodies is more. It should be
noted that the magnitude of ant tide is determined by the relative position of the Moon, the
Sun, and the Earth.

Impact of Tides

1. Tides raise the level of seawater and hence exposes a large part of the ocean for erosion
2. It is helpful for the tidal ports that have shallow water which is a constraint for the big
ships to enter. Tidal currents are a very potential source of tidal energy which is
harnessed by many developed countries on a very large scale and to some extent in
India as well. It can be devastating in cases where the tide gets too huge and results in
the flooding of the nearby coastal regions. Tides are very helpful for ecosystems such
as the mangrove forests and coral reefs to grow and sustain.

Characteristics of Tides

Tide changes as per the 4 stages given below.

1. Flood Tide – Over a period of several hours there will be a rise in sea level.
2. High Tide – This is a stage where the water reaches its maximum level.
3. Ebb Tide – This is a stage where sea level keeps receding over several hours.
4. Low Tide – The Level of Seawater stops receding.

What is a tidal bulge?

The side of the earth that is nearest to the moon witnesses one tidal bulge. The other side of
the earth that is farthest to the moon witnesses the second tidal bulge. These tidal bulges are
high tides. The water in the ocean is pulled towards the moon under the impact of the
gravitational pull. That creates a tidal bulge.

Cyclone:
A cyclone is any low-pressure area with winds spiralling inwards. Cyclones rotate anti-
clockwise in Northern Hemisphere and rotate clockwise in Southern Hemisphere. The
process of Cyclone formation and intensification is called Cyclogenesis.

Types of Cyclone
There are various types of cyclones depending on the type of prevailing low-pressure system.
 1. Tropical cyclone
2. Extratropical cyclone
3. Tornadoes

Cyclones are not only present on Earth but also spotted on other planets like Mars, Jupiter,
and Neptune. The Great Red Spot is the hurricane on Jupiter which is going on from 340
years. Great Black Spot was spotted in the Southern Hemisphere of Neptune.

How is a Cyclone formed?

When it comes to the formation or strengthening of a cyclone, Cyclogenesis plays a crucial

role. It is an umbrella term to identify several different processes that result in a cyclone.
Tropical cyclones are formed over warm ocean water near the equator. Warm moist air near
the surface of the ocean rises upwards. This creates a low-pressure area near the surface. This
results in the movement of cooler air from surrounding areas into the low-pressure area. Now
even this cool air becomes warm and moist and rises up. The above cycle keeps continuing.
The warm moist air which rises up, cools the water in the air, resulting in the formation of
clouds. This whole system of clouds and winds spins and grows. This entire cycle continues
resulting in a cyclone. When the winds reach a speed of 63 mph, it is called a tropical storm,
when the winds reach a speed of 119 kmph it is called a tropical cyclone or hurricane.

How are Cyclones addressed in Different Locations?

Cyclones are addressed by different names in different locations.

1. Hurricanes – In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

2. Typhoons – In Southeast Asia
3. Cyclone – In the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific around Australia.

How are Cyclones named?

Lists and names of Cyclones are maintained and updated by an international committee of the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The original lists had only names of women. In
1979 men’s names were also included. Names of men and women are used alternatively. Six
lists are used in rotation. Hence the list used in 2020 will be used again in 2026. If the storms
have wreaked havoc on a country, then the names will not be repeated due to reasons of
sensitivity. Examples are Katrina in the USA (2005), Sandy in the USA (2012), Haiyan in the
Philippines (2013), Irma, and Maria in the Carribean (2017).

1. Tropical cyclones are compact, circular winds with a diameter of 320km. Its winds
swirl around a central region that has low atmospheric pressure. The rotation of the
winds is largely driven by the low-pressure centre and by the rotation of the Earth.
2. The ENSO is a recurring climatic pattern involving temperature changes in the waters
of the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean, and changes in the patterns of upper
and lower-level winds, sea level pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific
Basin.
3. Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) New Delhi Tropical Cyclone
Center is responsible for naming the tropical cyclones that have formed over the Bay
of Bengal and the Arabian Sea when they have reached the relevant intensity.
 4. The cyclones originating in the Arabian Sea are weaker than those originating from
the Bay of Bengal. The formation of weak cyclones in Arabian Sea reasons back to
the presence of cold water of the sea.

Choose the correct answer from the below-given options

A) Only Statements 1, 2 and 3 are true

B) Only statements 2, 3 and 4 are true

C) All the above-given statements are true

D) Only statements 1, 3 and 4 are true

Answer: C

Q 1. What is a cyclone and what are its effects?

Ans. A low-pressure area with winds spiralling inwards is called a cyclone. It may result in
stormy winds and heavy rainfall, affecting lives and livelihood.

Q 2. What are the different types of cyclones?

Ans. There are different types of cyclones. These include tropical, extratropical, temperate
cyclones and tornadoes.

Tropical Cyclones
1999 Odisha Cyclone was termed as a super cyclone. It was one of the most intense tropical
cyclones.

What is a tropical cyclone?

 • Tropical cyclones are regarded as one of the most devastating natural calamities in the
world.
• They originate and intensify over warm tropical oceans.
• These are ferocious storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over
to the coastal areas causing violent winds, very heavy rainfall, and storm outpourings.

Names of cyclone in different regions

They are known as:

• Cyclones in the Indian Ocean

• Hurricanes in the Atlantic
• Typhoons in the Western Pacific and the South China Sea
• Willy-willies in Western Australia

Conditions for the formation of Tropical Cyclone

The conditions that favour the formation and intensification of tropical cyclone storms are:

• Large sea surface with a temperature higher than 27° C

• Presence of the Coriolis force
• Small differences in the vertical wind speed
• A pre-existing weak- low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation (Learn about
the atmospheric pressure in the linked article.)
• Upper divergence above the sea level system

Formation of Cyclone

• The energy that strengthens the storm comes from the condensation process in the
towering cumulonimbus clouds, surrounding the centre of the storm.
• With an uninterrupted supply of moisture from the sea, the storm is again
strengthened.
• On reaching the terrestrial region the moisture supply is cut off and the storm
dissipates.
• The place where a tropical cyclone cuts the coast is called the landfall of the cyclone.
• A landfall is frequently accompanied by sturdy winds, heavy rain and mounting sea
waves that could threaten people and cause damage to properties.
• Cyclones which cross 20 degrees North latitude are more destructive.
• They cover a larger area and can originate over the land and sea whereas the tropical
cyclones originate only over the seas and on reaching the land they dissipate.

Eye of Cyclone

A mature tropical cyclone is characterised by the strong spirally circulating wind around the
centre which is called the eye.

• The eye is an area with calm weather descending air.

• It is characterized by light winds and clear skies.

Eye Wall
 • Around the eye is the eyewall, where there is a strong spiralling rise of air to a greater
height reaching the tropopause.
• The wind reaches maximum velocity in this region and torrential rain occurs here.
• From the eyewall, rain bands may radiate and trains of cumulus and cumulonimbus
clouds may drift into the outer region.

Temperate Cyclone (Extratropical

Cyclones)
Temperate cyclones are also known as Extra-tropical cyclones where the term “Extra-
tropical” signifies that this type of cyclone generally occurs outside the tropics with a latitude
range between 30° and 60°.

Characteristics of Temperate Cyclone (Extra-Tropical

Cyclones)
• The Extra-Tropical Cyclones are storm systems emerging in the mid and high latitudes,
away from the tropics.
• They are low-pressure systems with associated cold fronts, warm fronts, and occluded
fronts.
• These cyclones are formed along the polar front.
• In the beginning, the front is stationary.
• Extra-tropical cyclones are also known as mid-latitude storms or baroclinic storms.
• In the Northern hemisphere, cold air blows from the north of the front and warm air
blows from the south.
• When the pressure descents along the front, the cold air move towards the south, and
the warm air moves northwards setting in motion an anticlockwise cyclonic circulation.
• The cyclonic circulation results in a well-built extratropical cyclone, with a cold front
and a warm front.
• There are pockets of warm air compressed between the forward and the rear cold air.
• The warm air climbs over the cold air and a series of clouds appear over the sky ahead
of the warm front and cause rainfall.
• The cold front approaches the warm air from behind and pushes the warm air up.
• As an outcome, cumulus clouds develop along the cold front.
• The cold front moves faster than the warm front eventually surpassing the warm front.
• The warm air is entirely lifted and the front is occluded and the cyclone dissipates.
• They can originate over the land and sea and cover a larger area.

Major Differences between Temperate Cyclone and Tropical Cyclone

Tropical Cyclone Temperate Cyclone

These cyclones move from west
tropical cyclones, move from east to west.
to east
A tropical cyclone has an effect on a comparatively Temperate cyclone affect a much
smaller area than a Temperate cyclone. larger area
The velocity of wind in a tropical cyclone is much higher The velocity of air is
and it is more damaging. comparatively lower
Tropical Cyclone forms only on seas with temperature
Temperate cyclones can be
more than 26-27degree C and dissipate on reaching the
formed on both land and sea
land.
Temperate cyclone can last for a
A tropical cyclone doesn’t last for more than 7 days
duration of 15 to 20 days

Types of Wind -
Wind can be described as the movement of air from the high-pressure area to the low-
pressure area. There are many types of wind such as permanent, seasonal and local winds. A
wind is named after the direction from which it blows, e.g. the wind blowing from the west is
called westerly.

What is Wind?
It is an air movement having both direction and speed. It is made up of gusts and eddies that
can only be felt and not seen, unlike rain and snow. Wind makes the leaves fall, sand move,
trees wave, hair fly, etc. Since it cannot be seen, a conventional instrument is used to measure
wind direction called weathercock or weather vane.

Types of Wind

There are three main types of wind, mentioned in the table below:

S.No Type
1. Permanent Winds
2. Seasonal Winds
3. Local Winds

Type of Wind – Permanent Winds

The winds that blow constantly throughout the year are called Permanent Winds. They also
blow constantly in a particular direction. There are types of permanent winds:

1. Trade Winds – These are permanent winds flowing from east-to-west. It flows in the
Earth’s equatorial region (between 30°N and 30°S latitudes).
 2. Easterlies – It is a prevailing wind blowing from the east. The trade winds in tropical
regions and the prevailing winds in the polar regions are easterlies.
3. Westerlies – These are prevailing winds that flow from the west towards the east. It
flows in the Earth’s middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. Also called
as anti-trades, these winds originate from the high-pressure areas in the horse latitudes
and trend towards the poles and steer extratropical cyclones in this general manner.

Type of Wind – Seasonal Wind

The winds that change their direction with onsets of different seasons. These are hence called
as Seasonal Winds. A monsoon is a type of seasonal wind in low-latitude climates that
seasonally changes direction between winter and summer. Monsoon is prevalent in India.

Type of Wind – Local Wind

These blow only during a particular period of the day or year in a small area. For example,
land and sea breeze. The types of local wind are given below:

1. Land Breeze – It is a wind that flows from the land towards the sea. It flows often at
night.
2. Sea Breeze – It is a wind that blows towards land from the direction of a large water
body. Sea breeze develops due to differences in air pressure created by the differing
heat capacities of water and dry land.
3. Anabatic Winds – These Winds are upslope winds driven by warmer surface
temperatures on a mountain slope than the surrounding air column.
4. Katabatic Winds – Katabatic winds are downslope winds created when the mountain
surface is colder than the surrounding air and creates a downslope wind.
Names of Local Winds around the World for UPSC Prelims

The local wind is known with different names in different regions across the world.

List of Names of Local Winds of the World

Name Region
Abrolhos Brazil
Alisio Carribean
Alize Central Africa and the Caribbean
Barguzin wind Russia
Berg South Africa
Harmattan Central Africa
Ghibli Libya
Loo India, Pakistan
Pampero Argentina, Uruguay
Föhn or foehn Alps, North Italy
Chinook Rocky Mountains
Roaring Forties Southern Hemisphere
Southerly Buster Sydney

P-I Notes
MMA July
2022
P-I Notes
MMA July 2022