TYPES OF CYCLONE

PRERNA FOR IAS

TYPES OF CYCLONE

1. Tropical Cyclone

A tropical cyclone is a powerful storm system that forms over warm tropical oceans where sea surface temperatures are usually above 26.5°C. It develops around a low-pressure center and is characterized by strong spiral winds, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and a well-defined eye. Warm, moist air rises rapidly, creating clouds and releasing energy that strengthens the storm. Tropical cyclones are known as hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. They can cause severe flooding, storm surges, and widespread destruction in coastal areas. Tropical cyclones play an important role in transferring heat from tropical regions toward higher latitudes.

2. Eye of a Tropical Cyclone

The eye is the calm central region of a tropical cyclone. It is usually circular and ranges from a few kilometers to several tens of kilometers in diameter. Within the eye, skies are often clear, winds are relatively light, and weather conditions are calm compared to the surrounding storm. The eye forms because air descends in the center of the cyclone, reducing cloud formation. Around the eye lies the eyewall, which contains the most intense winds and heaviest rainfall. The presence of a well-developed eye is often a sign of a strong and mature tropical cyclone.

3. Spiral Winds

Spiral winds are the rotating winds that move inward toward the center of a cyclone. These winds circulate around the low-pressure area and are influenced by the Coriolis force caused by the Earth's rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, they rotate anticlockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere they rotate clockwise.