CYCLONES: TROPICAL
CYCLONES: TROPICALAND TEMPERATE
AND TEMPERATE
Cyclones are rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. Cyclones are caused by
atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air
circulation.
Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The air circulates inward in
an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.
Classification of Cyclones
There are two types of cyclones:
Tropical cyclones: Tropical cyclones develop in the region between the Tropics of Capricorn
and Cancer
Extra Tropical cyclones (also called Temperate cyclones or middle latitude cyclones or
Frontal cyclones or Wave Cyclones): Extra tropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and
high latitude regions, though they are known to originate in the Polar Regions.
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclones represent a circulatory motion of air towards a low-pressure centre. These low-
pressure centers are known by various names based upon their characteristics, intensity and, distribution.
The origin and development of these cyclones require the presence of some favorable conditions.
In these cyclones, the wind blows counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the
southern hemisphere.
Characteristics of Tropical Cyclone
Location: Tropical cyclones are found in well-defined areas in certain seasons. They develop
Size of tropical cyclone: On average they are smaller than temperate cyclone. Their diameter
ranges between 500 600 km. Sometimes their diameter is restricted to 50 km or even less.
Air Pressure: Due to a steep pressure gradient, they are more intense than temperate cyclones.
The central pressure varies between 50-60 Mb. Tropical cyclones are associated with the extreme
velocity of the wind.
Frequency: These low-pressure centres are vigorous over the oceans but become weak over
land. They die out after reaching the interior of the continents. These cyclones are energised by
the release of latent heat of condensation.
Mobility: Tropical cyclones are not always mobile. Sometimes they become stationary over a
place for several days and cause heavy precipitation. They move in well-frequented tracks.
Identification: A great variety of these cyclones can be identified based on their shape, size and
associated weather.
Circular centre of a cyclone: The almost circular centre is the most fascinating feature of a
tropical cyclone which is called its eye. The diameter of an eye varies between 8 to 50km.
Direction of movement: Tropical cyclones move from east to west under the influence of trade
wind.
Velocity: Wind velocity of tropical cyclones is much greater (100 250 kmph) (200 1200 kmph
in upper troposphere)
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Weather Conditions of Tropical Cyclones: The tropical cyclones are associated with heavy
rain fall and high velocity of winds for short duration at small area. So, here greater destruction
is due to winds, storm surges and torrential rains.
Direction: They move westward under the influence of prevailing trade winds.
Factors responsible for formation of cyclone
Six factors appear to be generally necessary, although tropical cyclones may occasionally form without
meeting all of these conditions:
Water temperatures greater than 27 °C: Waters of this temperature cause the overlying
atmosphere to be unstable enough to sustain convection and thunderstorms.
Rapid cooling with height: This allows the release of latent heat, which is the source of energy
in a tropical cyclone.
High humidity, especially in the lower-to-mid troposphere: When there is a great deal of
moisture in the atmosphere, conditions are more favourable for disturbances to develop.
Low wind shear: When wind shear is high, the convection in a cyclone or disturbance will be
disrupted, preventing formation of the feedback loop.
Distance from the equator: This allows the Coriolis force to deflect winds blowing towards the
low pressure centre, causing a circulation. The minimum distance is about 500 km or 5 degrees
from the equator.
A pre-existing system of disturbed weather: The system must have some sort of circulation as
well as a low pressure centre.
Reasons for Few Cyclones over Arabian sea than Bay of Bengal
Annual frequency for IOR: The average annual frequency of tropical cyclones in the north
Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) is about 5-6 % of the global annual average.
(Most of them occur in Western Pacific and Western Atlantic)
Ratio of frequency: The frequency is more in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea and the
ratio being 4:1
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Reasons behind the Trend
Water Temperature: It is observed that the temperature in BoB is more suitable for initiating
cyclonic activity. This may be due to various features such as underwater volcanic activities, that
maintains a constant and desirable water temperature of about 24-27o C.
Influx of fresh water: The constant inflow of freshwater from the Ganga and Brahmaputra
rivers makes it impossible for the warm water to mix with the cooler water below.
Geographical features: The geographical features in the BoB region is cordial for low pressure
and high temperature. The water region in BoB is surrounded by land thereby ensuring that heat
from the land is continuously transferred to the water. This phenomenon is not observed in
Arabian Sea.
Occurrence of ITCZ: The ITCZ is formed over the BoB region during the withdrawal of
monsoon from Indian subcontinent. The ITCZ becomes a perfect spot for converging winds and
thus creates cyclonic region.
Link with Pacific Ocean: Bay of Bengal is linked with the Pacific Ocean through a passage way
that facilitates movement of wind system. The western Pacific Ocean is a hot bed for cyclonic
activities and some system are so powerful that it can move into Bay of Bengal region and
subsequently gain power to become cyclones.
Arabian Sea surface has higher salinity: Salinity near the surface in the Arabian Sea is much
higher than in the Bay of Bengal because evaporation over the Arabian Sea is much greater than
precipitation and river runoff (it loses more freshwater than it receives).
Monsoon winds drive away moisture: Though the monsoon winds increase evaporation from
the Arabian Sea the moisture is constantly driven away by the winds towards India.
Changing Trend (Reasons behind increasing cyclonic activities in Arabian Sea)
1. Evidences
Annual average of cyclone formation: Annually, five cyclones on average used to form in
the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea combined. Among these, four develop in the Bay of
Bengal and one in the Arabian Sea.
Spreading to lower states: Previously, tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea were restricted
to Gujarat. However, now even Kerala and Karnataka have also become more vulnerable to
cyclones.
R For Example:
Increasing frequency: Tauktae is the fourth cyclone in consecutive years to have developed
in the Arabian Sea.
2019 and Cyclone Nisarga hit Maharashtra in 2020.
Rise in the intensification rate is also observed: All these cyclones since 2018 have been
R For Example: Tauktae took only 2 days to become VSCS while Cyclone Mekanu and
Cyclone Nisarga had developed slower, taking 4 and 5 days respectively.
2. Reasons behind changing trends
Increasing surface temperature: Sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea have
increased rapidly during the past century due to global warming. Temp. now is 1.2 1.4 °C
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higher than the temperature witnessed four decades ago. These warmer temperatures support
active convection, heavy rainfall, and intense cyclones.
Energy for intensification: the rising temperature is also enabling the Arabian Sea to
supply ample energy for the intensification of cyclones. Currently, seawater up to depths of
50 metres has been very warm that allowed Cyclone tauktae to become a VSCS in only 2
days.
Wind shear: Arabian Sea is also providing conducive wind shear for cyclones. For instance,
a higher-level easterly wind drove the depression of Cyclone Ockhi from the Bay of Bengal
to the Arabian Sea.
Greater occurrence of El Niño Modoki: It is a clima
However, this condition is conducive for the formation of cyclones in the Arabian Sea.
However, El Nino is associated with suppressing cyclone formation in the Arabian Sea.
Positive Effects of Cyclones
Tropical cyclones bring rainfall to rain shadow and other parched regions: Rainshadow
regions of Western Ghats and semi-arid regions in south India (Telangana, Rayalaseema,
Hyderabad-Karnataka, Vidarbha) sometimes receive copious rain during the cyclone season.
Temperature moderator: Carry heat and energy away from the tropics and transport it towards
Red Tide in water bodies: Red tide is a phenomenon which involves discolouration of coastal
waters caused by algal blooms. The algal bloom not only deplete oxygen in the waters, release
harmful toxins but also destroys water bodies. As tropical cyclones move across the ocean, winds
and waves mix and dilutes the red tide causing bacteria.
Replenish Barrier Islands: Tropical cyclones take along with them substantial amounts of sand,
nutrients and sediment from the ocean's bottom and bring it towards barrier islands. Storm surge,
wind and waves will often move these islands closer to the mainland as sand is pushed or pulled
in that direction.
Seed dispersal to faraway locations: Tropical cyclone wind blow spores and seeds further
inland from where they would normally fall; this effect can be seen a thousand miles inland as
storms move away from the shoreline. These seeds can replenish lost growth after fires and
urbanisation.
Clear pollution: As cyclonic winds are fast they clear the pollutants from atmosphere and bring
clean and fresh air.
Nomenclature of Tropical Cyclones
1. Reason for Naming
Avoiding confusion: Since the storms can often last for weeks and more than one cyclone
can be occurring in the same region at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about
which storm is being described.
Quick information sharing: Naming them after a person/flower/animal etc. makes it easier
for quick information exchange.
2. Done under the aegis of WMO:
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WMO (World meteorological organisation) divided the world Oceans into Basins and
assigned the responsibility of naming the Cyclones to the respective regional bodies.
Each regional body has its own rules in naming cyclones.
In most regions, pre-determined alphabetic lists of alternating male and female names are
used.
3. For the Indian Ocean region:
The names of cyclones in Indian Seas are not allocated in alphabetical order but are arranged
by the name of the country which contributed the name.
It is usual practice for a storm to be named when it reaches tropical storm strength (63
kmph).
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) which issues cyclone advisories to eight
countries has a list of names contributed by each of them.
Every time a cyclone occurs, a name is picked in the order of the names that are already
submitted.
Each country gets a chance to name a cyclone. After all the countries get their turn, the next
list of names are followed.
A formula for naming cyclones was agreed upon in 2004. Eight countries in the region -
Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand - all
contributed a set of names which are assigned sequentially whenever a cyclonic storm
develops.
Temperate Cyclones
Extratropical cyclones are referred to as mid-latitude depressions, temperate cyclones, frontal
depressions and wave cyclones. It is developed in mid and high latitude beyond the tropic means
between 30 to 60-degree latitude in both hemispheres. The main cause of the development is the
formation of the front mainly occluded front.
Characteristics of Temperate Cyclone
Location:
interaction between cold polar mass and warm tropical air mass in the westerly wind belt. These
cyclones are more pronounced in the northern hemisphere due to greater temperature contrast.
Velocity: As pressure gradient is smaller, velocity is moderate around 30 to 40 km per hour.
Frequency: As the temperate cyclones are formed due to front formation, they occur throughout
the year. Therefore, they are not confined to any particular season. However, their frequency is
more in winter than summer.
Area covered by Temperate cyclones: They develop overlarge area occupying more than 1500-
2000km in diameter. Vertically, they may reach up to Tropopause.
Air Pressure: As the isobars are widespread in these cyclones, the pressure gradient is gentle.
Mainly, the isobaric difference varies from 10 to 15 Mb.
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Formation: The formation of the temperate cyclone is predominantly controlled and dominated
by the formation of the fronts. Thermal contrast of the two types of air masses is the genesis for
the development of the low-pressure centre. This led to the creation of temperate or extratropical
cyclone.
The direction of Movement of the temperate cyclone: The temperate cyclones are developed
in the mid-latitudes where the westerlies are prominent, the direction is from west to east. In the
northern hemisphere, Temperate cyclones move from southwest to northeast. In the southern
hemisphere, they follow northwest to southeast direction.
Weather Conditions of Temperate Cyclones: On the other hand, temperate cyclone associated
weather conditions are mild and overcast sky in initial stage and followed by moderate to heavy
rain for long period of time on large area. So, here less destruction is due to winds but more
destruction is due to flooding.
Formation of Temperate Cyclones
1. Polar Front Theory
According to this theory, the warm-humid air masses from the tropics meet the dry-cold air
masses from the poles and thus a polar front is formed as a surface of discontinuity.
Such conditions occur over subtropical high, sub-polar low-pressure belts and along the
Tropopause.
The cold air pushes the warm air upwards from underneath. Thus, a void is created because
of lessening of pressure. The surrounding air rushed in to occupy this void and coupled with
2. Stages of Formation
Stage I: Involves the convergence of two air masses of contrasting physical properties and
directions. Initially , the air masses move parallel to each other and a stationary front is
formed. This is called initial stage.
Stage II:
penetrate into the territories of each other and thus a wave-line front id formed.
Stage III: The mature stage when the cyclone is fully developed and isobars become almost
circular.
Stage IV: Warm sector is narrowed in extent due to the advancement of cold front than
warm extent due to the advancement of cold front than warm front, as cold front comes
nearer to warm front.
Stage V: Starts with the occlusion of cyclone when the advancing clod front finally
overtakes the warm front and an occluded front is formed.
Stage VI: Warm sector completely disappears; occluded front is eliminated and ultimately
cyclone dies out.
Role temperate cyclones play in causing precipitation in different parts of India
1. Cloudy weather: Due to these cyclones, highly variable and cloudy weather is observed in
temperate zone. It is in these latitude zones that the polar and tropical air masses meet and form
polar fronts, most of these cyclones form wave like twist i.e. wave cyclone.
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2. Western disturbances: Especially with respect to India, temperate cyclones are observed in the
3. Rain in Western part: Temperate cyclone is a common weather phenomenon in India, that
brings sudden winter rain to the north western parts of the Indian subcontinent.
4. Areas: They are the cause of the most winter and pre-monsoon season rainfall across North-
West India (such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh).
5. Intensity of rain: Temperate cyclones, specifically the ones in winter, bring moderate to heavy
rain in low-lying areas and heavy snow to mountainous areas of the Indian Subcontinent. This
phenomenon is usually associated with cloudy sky, higher night temperatures and unusual rain.
6. Foggy conditions: Over the Indo-Gangetic plains, they occasionally bring cold wave conditions
and dense fog.
7. Less effect in southern areas: Western disturbances very less likely cause precipitation in the
southern i.e. peninsular part of India.
8. Important for Agriculture:
This precipitation during the winter season has great importance in agriculture particularly
for rabi crops including wheat. It is estimated that India gets close to 5-10% of its total
annual rainfall from temperate cyclones.
Also, Saffron cultivation along with tea cultivation in the foothills of Himalayas is
depending on the western disturbance.
Comparison of Tropical and Temperate Cyclones
Parameters Tropical Temperate
Latitude Confined to 100 300 N and S of Confined to 350 650 N and S of equator.
equator. More pronounced in Northern hemisphere
due to greater temperature contrast.
Origin Thermal Origin Dynamic Origin Coriolis Force,
Movement of air masses.
Formation They form only on seas with Can form both on land as well as seas
temperature more than 26-27o C.
They dissipate on reaching land
Size Limited to small area. Typical size: They cover a larger area.
100 500 kms in [Link] Typical size: 300 2000 kms in diameter.
with the strength of the cyclone. Varies from region to region.
Rainfall Heavy but does not last beyond In it, rainfall is slow and continues for
few hours. If it stays at place, many days, sometimes even weeks.
rainfall may continue for many
days.
Wind Much greater (100 250 Comparatively low. Typical range: 30
Velocity kmph)(200 1200 kmph in upper 150 kmph.
and troposphere) Less destruction due to winds but more
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destruction Greater destruction due to winds, destruction due to flooding.
storm surges and torrential rains.
Life time Last for 2-3 weeks.
Driving It derives its energy from the latent The energy of a temperate cyclone depends
force heat of condensation, and the on the densities of air masses.
difference in densities of the air
masses does not contribute to the
energy of the cyclone.
Influence Both coasts effected. But east coast Bring rains to North West India. The
on India is the hot spot.
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