EPSC 185 Chapter : Hurricanes Reading
7 Sep 2013
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Tropical cyclone: warm-core, low pressure system without any front attached. Warm ocean water (at least 80 f/27 c) throughout depth (150 ft/46 m) Atmosphere that cools fast enough with height, for potentially unstable moist convection relatively moist air near mid-level of troposphere (16 000 ft/4 900 m) Minimum distance of 300 miles/480 km from equator. Pre-existing near-surface disturbance low values (<23 mph/37 km/h) of vertical wind shear between surface & upper troposphere. Pacific form in 7 regions around the world. Typhoon vamei (formed near singapore, not near equator) formed december 27, Maximum sustained surface wind reported = 87 mph; gust wind, 120 mph. Previous recorded lowest latitude for tropical cyclone = 3. 3 degrees n (typhoon sara: typhoon vamei"s circulation on both sides of equator. Once formed & substance convection develops, can become more organized under certain conditions if moves/stays over warm water & upper level winds remain weak, disturbance can become more organized, forming a depression.
