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TropicalCyclone

The document explains the differences between weather and climate, detailing weather elements and the monsoon system affecting Hong Kong's subtropical climate. It describes the formation, structure, and types of tropical cyclones, including their negative social and economic impacts. Preventive measures such as monitoring, emergency response plans, and public education are also discussed.

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3 views

TropicalCyclone

The document explains the differences between weather and climate, detailing weather elements and the monsoon system affecting Hong Kong's subtropical climate. It describes the formation, structure, and types of tropical cyclones, including their negative social and economic impacts. Preventive measures such as monitoring, emergency response plans, and public education are also discussed.

Uploaded by

royalflushs
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Weather & Climate

Weather: condition of the atmosphere of a place over a short period of time\


-> fast-changing

Weather elements: (6)


- Temperature (°C)
- Precipitation (mm)
- Air pressure (hPa)
- Wind
-> wind speed (m/s)
-> wind direction (high pressure -> low pressure)
- Relative humidity (%)
- Cloud amount (%)

Weather chart:
- Temperature
- Precipitation
- Drizzle
- Rain
- Shower
- Thunderstorm
- Fog
- Mist
- Snow
- Haze
- Wind -> arrow
- Air pressure -> isobars

Climate: average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time ->
measured over 30 years
HK: hot, wet summer & cool, dry winter

Monsoon system: seasonal change in wind directions caused by the temperature


differences between the land & the sea
Summer:
1. Land absorbs heat faster than the sea. Hot air rises, forming a low-
pressure area
2. Lower temperature of the sea causes air to sink, forming a high-pressure
area
3. Winds blow from the sea to the land, forming the southeast and southwest
monsoons
4. These onshore winds bring abundant rainfall to Hong Kong.
Winter:
1. Land releases heat faster than the sea. Cold air sinks, forming a high-
pressure area
2. Higher temperature of the sea causes air to rise, forming a low-pressure
area
3. Winds blow from the land to the sea, forming the north and northeast
monsoons
4. These dry offshore winds carry little moisture.

-> Subtropical monsoon climate of Hong Kong

Tropical cyclone: a low pressure system developed over tropical oceans

Formation of tropical cyclones:


In summer, the sea surface tmperature is heated to over 26°C. Warm humid air
rises.
The rising air leads to a drop in air pressure. Air at the bottom continues to
move in to replace the risen air, forming a strong convection.
A low-pressure centre is formed.
At higher altitudes, humid air cools, condenses, and forms towering clouds.
During condensation, latent heat is released.
With more energy, the air continues to rise and becomes more intense.
Air spirals upwards.
At the eye of the tropical cyclone, cool air sinks and becomes warm, creating
an area of calm, clear conditions.
Wind speed increases when more moisture and heat move in.
A typhoon is formed.

Occurance:
- Western Pacific oceans
- Moves northwest towards South China / northerly path -> East China, Japan,
Korea / move west -> Southeast Asia

Structure:
- Eye
- Centre of the tropical cyclone
- No rain, calm wind, warm, clear conditions
- Eye wall
- Surrounds the eye
- Maximum rainfall & maximum wind speed
- Vertex / rain band
- Outside the eye wall
- Air rises rapidly & air from neighbouring areas drawn in
-> Forms towering clouds

Types: classified according to wind speed (measured at the eye wall)


- <= 62 : Tropical Depression
- 63 - 87 : Tropical Storm
- 88 - 117 : Severe Tropical Storm
- 118 - 149 : Typhoon
- 150 - 184 : Severe Typhoon
- >= 185 : Super Typhoon

Negative impacts:
Social:
Triggering other natural hazards:
- Storm surge: additional rise in sea level
X because of heavy rainfall
-> strong wind pushing seawater towards the shore
= flooding & landslides

Traffic disruption:
- Blocking roads, disrupt railway services, delay / cancel flights

Disruption of power & water supplies

Casualties:
- Falling objects, smashed windows, flooding

Economic:
Decrease in productivity
- Stopped commercial activities
- Increase in commute time
Loss of property
High repair costs

Preventive measures:
Monitoring & forecasting
- HKO -> monitors devlopment & movement of tropical cyclones
- using satellites & radar
- Warning signals are issued

Setting up emergency response plans


-> inter-departmental meetings & drills

Education
- raise public awareness

In summer, the sea surface temperature is heated to over 26°C. Warm, humid air
rises.
The rising air leads to a drop in air pressure. The air at the bottom continues to
move in to replace th risen air, creating a strong convection.
A low-pressure centre is formed.
At higher altitudes, humid air cools, condenses, and forms towering clouds.
During condensation, latent heat is released.
With more energy, the air continues to rise and becomes more intense.
Air spirals upwards.
At the eye of the tropical typhoon, cool air sinks and becomes warm, creating an
area of calm and clear conditions.
Wind speed increases when more moisture and heat move in.
A typhoon is formed.

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