GEOL 2207 Lecture Notes - World Meteorological Organization
Document Summary
General term for large cells of moisture-laden air that rotate around an area of low pressure. Tropical cyclones form over warm tropical or subtropical ocean waters, typically between 5-20 degrees latitude. Extratropical cyclones develop over land or water between 30-70 degrees latidute: can be developed anywhere. Warm ocean water and the latent heat that is released as rising air condenses to form clouds. Warm air rises to form a spiraling pattern of clouds. The rising warm air hearts the entire core of the storm. Contrast between air masses on opposites side of a front. Fed by cold air at the surface and a flow of cold, dry air aloft. The resulting storm has a cool core from bottom to top: usually in northern pacific, cold weather cyclones, tend to track into coast line of alaska, bc, etc, tends to produce warm weather and heavy rainfall. Pineapple express in oct/nov after first snowfall lots of flooding.
