Lesson 1

Tropical Storms – An introduction

Learning objectives:Define the term tropical storm.Describe the distribution of tropical storms.Explain how tropical storms form.

Tropical Storms – An introduction

Activity 1: Recap of low pressure systemWrite down in your book what is happening in a low pressure system (you will need to check last week’s learning).

Hints…Is air rising or sinking?Are conditions calm or are there high winds?Is condensation taking place?Would you expect conditions to be dry or high levels of rainfall?

Activity 2: Copy down definition of tropical storm.

A tropical storm is a low pressure storm system characterised by strong winds (up to 250 km/h) and torrential rain.Hurricane (North Atlantic), cyclone (Indian Ocean) and typhoon (Pacific) are all tropical storms. They have different names based on the ocean they or ignited.

Tropical Storms – An introduction

Activity 3: What is a tropical storm and how does it form? Video activity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFD3EE3mlAE

Learning about the formation of a tropical storm is difficult. It requires trying visualize air rising upwards and spiraling, causing high winds and rapid condensation and rainfall.

Step 1: watch the video all the way throughStep 2: watch the video through but rewind certain sections when you need toStep 3: watch the video all the way through againStep 4: set up your page to have 6 bullet points on, watch the video again and stop it to make notes on 6 key points only

Activity 4: Explain how tropical storms are formed

Read the statements below. Try to put them in order to construct a paragraph which explains how tropical storms form. You can just write the letters in your draft book, for example: G, D

A. Due to the rotation of the earth (known as the Coriolis Force) the rising air masses rotate as they are pulled in.

B. The surrounding air rushes in to fill the void.C. This is because any closer to the equator, the Coriolis Force will not be strong enough to

cause the rotation of the air masses.D. This large mass of warm water heats the air above the sea and causes it to expand, creating

an area of low pressure.E. This leads to the strong winds. As the air spirals upwards, the warm air cools down and rapid

condensation occurs, which leads to high levels of precipitation.F. Tropical storms will only form at least 5° north or 5° south of the equator. G. Tropical storms will only form over warm water (over 26°C) with a sufficient depth (over

50m).

Activity 4: Explain how tropical storms are formed

Step 1. Check your answers using the numbers below. How many did you get correct?Step 2. Write the sentences out in order in your neat book so you have a complete paragraph of how tropical storms are formed. You have completed this lesson. Well done!

A. Due to the rotation of the earth (known as the Coriolis Force) the rising air masses rotate as they are pulled in. 4

B. The surrounding air rushes in to fill the void. 3C. This is because any closer to the equator, the Coriolis Force will not be strong enough to

cause the rotation of the air masses. 7D. This large mass of warm water heats the air above the sea and causes it to expand, creating

an area of low pressure. 2E. This leads to the strong winds. As the air spirals upwards, the warm air cools down and rapid

condensation occurs, which leads to high levels of precipitation. 5F. Tropical storms will only form at least 5° north or 5° south of the equator. 6G. Tropical storms will only form over warm water (over 26°C) with a sufficient depth (over

50m). 1

Stretch and challenge 1: sketching tropical storms are extremely difficult. Research some diagrams online and attempt an annotated sketch of the formation of a tropical storm. Some

ideas on next slide.Stretch and challenge 2: if you have a printer you may want to try and print out or create a

pop-up hurricane model. Google it and find out!

Lesson 2

Tropical Storms – Distribution and damage

Learning objectives:Describe the distribution of tropical storms.Explain the damage caused by tropical storms.

Activity 1 – Which parts of the world are tropical storms more likely to hit?Use the map above and your atlas in organiser or an online to map to say which place is most likely to get hit by a tropical storm. For example, Eastern USA (yellow arrow) is more likely to be hit by a tropical storm than Turkey (red arrow).1. Argentina or the Caribbean2. Philippines or the Italy3. Nigeria or Bangladesh4. Russia or Madagascar5. Australia or Algeria

Activity 1 – Which parts of the world are tropical storms more likely to hit?Use the map above and your atlas in organiser or an online to map to say which place is most likely to get hit by a tropical storm. Check your answers and green pen.1. Argentina or the Caribbean2. Philippines or the Italy3. Nigeria or Bangladesh4. Russia or Madagascar5. Australia or Algeria

Activity 2 – Copy down the

description of distribution and the

explanation for distribution for the

distribution of tropical storms. Use different colours to

show the difference.

Tropical storms originate (start) in tropical oceans… this is because the warm water is required (over 26⁰C) for the energy of the storm.Tropical storms dissipate (lose energy and die) over land… this is because they need water to fuel the stormTropical storms do not occur right on the equator*… this is because the Coriolis (spinning force) of the Earth is not strong enough here.Tropical storms start towards the middle of oceans… because the water must be at least 70m deep.

*if you look closely at the white line which is the equator there are no tropical storms immediately above (5⁰ north) or below (5⁰ north)

Stretch and challenge: there are various websites which track tropical storms. The link below is quite easy to use but you might be able to

find some better sites.

https://www.cyclocane.com/

Are there any tropical storms underway at this moment? Where? Will they reach land? How strong are they?

Explore tropical storm seasons, why do they only occur in certain places at certain times?

There is no need to take notes, just have a play around and explore and discover!

Activity 3: The risks posed by tropical storms

Step 1. Create a three-armed spider diagram and add the main three types of risk which are:

• storm surge• high winds• torrential rain

Use the next three slides to help you make quick notes / draw diagrams for each.

Step 2. In a different colour pen write add following impacts to the correct place on your spider diagram, based on whether they likely to be caused by storm surge, high winds or torrential rain (they may be more than one). First two have been done for you.

1. Death by drowning (could be storm surge or torrential rain), 2. roof coming off house (high winds), 3. crops ruined. 4. homelessness 5. bridge unsafe to use 6. tunnels flooded 7. roads flooded 8. buildings collapsed 9. electricity cables collapse 10. lack of food supplies

Storm SurgeLow pressure allows water to

rise; water pushed over land

WindFlying debris

Tree loss

High rainfallLeads to flash flooding; combines with storm

surge

Lesson 3

Tropical Storms – Measuring Magnitude

Learning objectives:Describe how the magnitude of tropical storms is measured.

Activity 1 – The Saffir-Simpson ScaleStep 1: Copy this introduction your book: Tropical storms are measured using the Saffir-Simpson Scale. It measured the strength of tropical storms by their wind speed. There are 5 categories with 5 being the strongest. Category 1 storms still put lives at risk and cause damage.

Step 2: Copy the table into your book. Watch the video and complete the table.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za9cIBUdk1Q

Category Wind speed Damage caused

1

2

3

4

5

Tropical Storm: Development and Dissipation (pg. 25 – 27)

• Area where tropical storms form is called the:• Three conditions that are needed for tropical storm formation:

•

•

•

• Northern tropics storm season:• Southern tropics storm season:

• Study Figure 18 on pg. 26. Tropical storms usually move:•

•

• What is used to track tropical storm pathways? Use page 30:

• Tropical storms usually form in the area where warm moist air is meeting and rising, this is know as the:

• If the water used to feed the tropical storm is warmer the result is that the storm itself will be…

• When a tropical storm loses energy and decreases in intensity it is referred to as:• This happens for three main reasons:

•

•

•

• Tropical storms usually take ______ days to dissipate• However, this can be much quicker if:• This will lead to:

• Take notes in your book on the tropical storm hazard of landslides

Activity 2 – Review taskThis reading and note-taking activity is designed to consolidate all of the learning on tropical storms. Use the note-taking framework on this slide and complete the notes by reading the textbook pages (on the next slides).

Above 120 km/hr winds

A wind hazard

Have an eye

They decay

They need warm water to gain

strength

are also called Hurricanes typhoons,

cyclones and Willie willies

80 km/hr winds

A tectonic hazardAlso called tornadoes

Caused by the ground shaking

Bring hot, dry weather

They happen any time in the year

Activity 3 – Quick QuizNo need to write anything down. Read the statements and decide if the fact relates to a tropical storm or not. Answers on next slide.

Above 120 km/hr winds

A wind hazard

Have an eye

They decay

They need warm water to gain

strength

are also called Hurricanes typhoons,

cyclones and Willie willies

80 km/hr winds

A tectonic hazardAlso called tornadoes

Caused by the ground shaking

Bring hot, dry weather

They happen any time in the year

XX X X

X X

Activity 3 – Quick QuizNo need to write anything down. Read the statements and decide if the fact relates to a tropical storm or not. Answers on next slide.