QUARTER 2

TYPHOONS

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and

atmospheric effects on our weather.

Weather refers to short term atmospheric conditions while climate is the weather of
a specific region averaged over a long period of time. Climate change refers to long-
term changes.

The atmosphere is the gaseous layer of the physical environment that surrounds a
planet. Earth's atmosphere is roughly 100 to 125 kilometers (65-75 miles) thick. The
atmosphere surrounds the Earth and holds the air we breathe; it protects us from
outer space; and holds moisture (clouds), gases, and tiny particles. In short, the
atmosphere is the protective bubble in which we live.

The atmosphere can be divided into layers based on its temperature, as shown in the
figure below. These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere and
the thermosphere. A further region, beginning about 500 km above the Earth's
surface, is called the exosphere.

The Troposphere
This is the lowest part of the atmosphere - the part we live in. It contains most of our
weather - clouds, rain, snow. In this part of the atmosphere the temperature gets
colder as the distance above the earth increases, by about 6.5°C per kilometre. The
actual change of temperature with height varies from day to day, depending on the
weather.
The troposphere contains about 75% of all of the air in the atmosphere, and almost
all of the water vapour (which forms clouds and rain). The decrease in temperature
with height is a result of the decreasing pressure. If a parcel of air moves upwards it
expands (because of the lower pressure). When air expands it cools.

The Stratosphere
This extends upwards from the tropopause to about 50 km. It contains much of the
ozone in the atmosphere. The increase in temperature with height occurs because of
absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun by this ozone. Temperatures in
the stratosphere are highest over the summer pole, and lowest over the winter pole.
By absorbing dangerous UV radiation, the ozone in the stratosphere protects us from
skin cancer and other health damage.

The Mesosphere
The region above the stratosphere is called the mesosphere. Here the temperature
again decreases with height, reaching a minimum of about -90°C at the "mesopause".

The Thermosphere and Ionosphere

The thermosphere lies above the mesopause, and is a region in which temperatures
again increase with height. This temperature increase is caused by the absorption of
energetic ultraviolet and X-Ray radiation from the sun.
The region of the atmosphere above about 80 km is also caused the "ionosphere",
since the energetic solar radiation knocks electrons off molecules and atoms, turning
them into "ions" with a positive charge.

The temperature of the thermosphere varies between night and day and between the
seasons, as do the numbers of ions and electrons which are present. The ionosphere
reflects and absorbs radio waves, allowing us to receive shortwave radio broadcasts in
New Zealand from other parts of the world.

The Exosphere
The region above about 500 km is called the exosphere. It contains mainly oxygen
and hydrogen atoms, but there are so few of them that they rarely collide - they
follow "ballistic" trajectories under the influence of gravity, and some of them escape
right out into space.

Typhoons are also referred to as tropical cyclones. Some of these typhoons leave
minimal damages but a number have already been listed in history as devastating.
According to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA), there were 20 tropical cyclones that entered the
Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) per year. Do you know that the Philippines is
prone to tropical cyclones? It is because of its geographical location which generally
produce heavy rains, flooding of large areas, strong winds which result in heavy
casualties to human life, and destruction to crops and properties.

Tropical cyclone is defined as a non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclone developing over

tropical and sub-tropical waters at any level and having a definitely organized
circulation. In other parts of the world, these are referred to as hurricanes, typhoons
or simply tropical cyclones depending on the region.

In the North Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific and South Pacific Ocean, they are called
"hurricanes". In the bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Western South Indian Ocean, the
name is "cyclonic". In the eastern part of the Southern Indian Ocean, it is "willy-
willy", and in the Western North Pacific Ocean, they are called "typhoons".
Tropical cyclones can only form over oceans of the world except in the South Atlantic
Ocean and the south eastern Pacific where a tropical cyclone could never be formed
due to the cooler sea surface temperature and higher vertical wind shears. They
develop at latitudes usually greater than 5° from the equator. They reach their
greatest intensity while located over warm tropical water. As soon as they move
inland, they begin to weaken, but often not before they have caused great
destruction.

The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones due to its geographical location which
generally produce heavy rains and flooding of large areas and also strong winds
which result in heavy casualties to human life and destructions to crops and
properties. Thus, it is of utmost importance to have sufficient knowledge on such
maritime phenomena for beneficial purposes.

Landforms affect wind directions, and therefore disrupt the spin of a typhoon.
Typhoon weakens because of lack of water to supply the needed moisture in the air.
When this happens, the air temperature drops; as the water vapor cools, fog forms,
and rain may fall on the windward side of the mountain. When the same atmosphere
descends on the other side of the mountain, it brings a minimal amount of water
vapor. A “rain shadow” or dry climate develops on the leeward side of the mountain.

Bodies of water help in the formation and development of a typhoon. In order for a
typhoon to develop, it needs the abundance of warm water, high humidity, optimal
location, ocean water with a temperature of 26.5˚C, spanning from the surface up to
the depth of at least 50 meters (160 ft), and low vertical wind shear. Warm bodies of
water are the main factors in the formation of a typhoon. The air in bodies of water is
warm due to the evaporation of water. This warm air builds up or increases the wind
speed of a typhoon. Typhoon gains energy from warm ocean water and loses it over
cold water.

Listed below are the effects of tropical cyclone that can leave a significant mark on
the lives of people.

1. Strong winds (squalls) - surface wind increases in magnitude and is maintained

over a time interval of several minutes to half an hour. The increase in wind speed
may occur abruptly or slowly. These changes in near landfall can lead to loss of lives
and large damage to properties.
2. Tornadoes - produced by tropical cyclone characterized by a violent and
destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud. A weak tornado
has a wind speed of about 64-116 kph.
3. Rainfall and Flooding - rainfall associated with tropical cyclone is both beneficial
and harmful. Rains contribute to the water needs of the areas traversed by the
tropical cyclone. The rains are harmful when the amount is way too large as to cause
flooding.
4. Storm surge - an abnormal rise of water due to tropical cyclone and it is an oceanic
event. These devastating surges occur along coasts with low-lying terrain.

A tropical cyclone, also known as a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone depending on its

location, goes through a life cycle with distinct stages: cumulative, mature, and
dissipating.

Cumulative Stage

This stage is characterized by the initial development of the tropical cyclone. It

begins as a tropical disturbance, a cluster of thunderstorms with minimal
organization. As the disturbance gathers strength, it transitions into a tropical
depression, marked by a defined circulation and wind speeds between 25 and 39
miles per hour.

Further intensification leads to a tropical storm, with wind speeds reaching 39 to 74

miles per hour. During this stage, the storm is given a name by the National
Hurricane Center.

Mature Stage

This is the peak of the tropical cyclone's intensity. It is characterized by a well-

defined eye, a central region of calm winds and clear skies, surrounded by a eyewall, a
ring of intense thunderstorms with the strongest winds and heaviest precipitation.

The mature stage is also marked by a spiral pattern of cloud bands that feed heat and
moisture into the central low pressure, fueling the storm's development.

Dissipating Stage

The tropical cyclone begins to weaken in this stage. It can be caused by several
factors, including:

- Moving over land: This cuts off the storm's source of warm, moist air.
- Moving over cooler water: The cooler water reduces the energy supply for the
storm.
- Increased wind shear: Strong winds aloft can disrupt the storm's structure and
weaken it.