OBJECTIVES

• Compare the wind speed and

air pressure in the eye and
eyewall of a typhoon.
• Determine what conditions may
affect the formation of a
typhoon.
UNDERSTANDING
TYPHOONS
 Every year the Philippines is hit by
typhoons. No part of the country is spared.
All provinces have been visited by a
typhoon at one time or another. In recent
years, the Philippines had been
overwhelmed by powerful tropical
cyclones.
 According to the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA), about 20
tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of
Responsibility each year. We have to be
knowledgeable about tropical cyclones if we
want to prevent the loss of more lives.
 Why is the Philippines prone to
typhoons?

 What conditions favor the

formation of typhoons?
 WHAT is a TROPICAL
CYCLONE?
 A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system
characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-
level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral
arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain.

 Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone

is referred to by names such
as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic
storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.
 WHAT is a TROPICAL
CYCLONE?
Tropical refers to the geographical origin of these
systems, which form almost exclusively
over tropical seas. Cyclone refers to their cyclonic
nature, with wind blowing counterclockwise in
the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in
the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of
circulation is due to the Coriolis effect.
 WHAT is a TROPICAL
CYCLONE?
In addition to strong winds and rain, tropical
cyclones are capable of generating high waves,
damaging storm surge, and tornadoes. They typically
weaken rapidly over land where they are cut off from their
primary energy source.
Heavy rains, however, can cause significant
flooding inland, and storm surges can produce extensive
coastal flooding up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the
coastline.
 WHAT is a TROPICAL
CYCLONE?
Though their effects on human populations
are often devastating, tropical cyclones can
relieve drought conditions. They also carry heat
energy away from the tropics and transport it
toward temperate latitudes, which may play an
important role in modulating regional and
global climate.
 The picture shows a
super typhoon as viewed
from up above the Earth. A
typhoon looks the same,
only smaller. The clouds are
being blown by winds in a
counter-clockwise direction.
In a super typhoon, the wind
speed is greater than 220
kilometers per hour (kph).
If
 CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE
 Tropical cyclones derive their energy from the
latent heat of condensation which made them
exist only over the oceans and die out rapidly on
land.
 One of its distinguishing features is it's having a
central sea-level pressure of 900 mb or lower and
surface winds often exceeding 100 knots.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE
 They reach their greatest intensity while located
over warm tropical waters and they begin to
weaken as they move inland.
 The intensity of tropical cyclones vary, thus, we
can classify them based upon their degree of
intensity.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE
The classification of tropical cyclones according to the strength
of the associated winds as adopted by PAGASA as of 01 May
2015 are as follows:

1. TROPICAL DEPRESSION (TD) - a tropical cyclone with

maximum sustained winds of up to 61 kilometers per hour
(kph) or less than 33 nautical miles per hour (knots).
2. TROPICAL STORM (TS) - a tropical cyclone with
maximum wind speed of 62 to 88 kph or 34 - 47 knots.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE
3. SEVERE TROPICAL STORM (STS) - a tropical cyclone
with a maximum wind speed of 89 to 117 kph or 48 - 63 knots.
4. TYPHOON (TY) - a tropical cyclone with a maximum wind
speed of 118 to 220 kph or 64 - 120 knots.
5. SUPER TYPHOON (STY) - a tropical cyclone with
maximum wind speed exceeding 220 kph or more than 120
knots.
CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE
 The term typhoon is used only in the
northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. In the
northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean and in the
northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, the equivalent
term is hurricane . Thus, a hurricane on one side of
the Pacific Ocean will be called a typhoon if it
crosses into the other side.
 HOW DO TROPICAL CYCLONES
FORM?
Tropical cyclones typically form over large bodies of
relatively warm water. They derive their energy through the
evaporation of water from the ocean surface, which
ultimately recondenses into clouds and rain when moist air
rises and cools to saturation. The strong rotating winds of a
tropical cyclone are a result of the conservation of angular
momentum imparted by the Earth's rotation as air flows
inwards toward the axis of rotation.
 HOW DO TROPICAL CYCLONES
FORM?
1. The warm ocean water heats up the air above it.
2. The warm air then rises. The rising warm air results in a
low-pressure area. Air in the surroundings will then
move toward the area.
3. Now, there is water vapor in the rising warm air. The
water vapor soon condenses and heat is given off.
4. The heat makes the air rise even more, and air in the
surroundings will keep coming in.
5. The air starts to spin, and a tropical cyclone is born.
 MORE ABOUT TROPICAL
CYCLONES

 Tropical Cyclones need water vapor in order to form.

 Tropical Cyclones require warm ocean waters to develop
(26 °C or greater).
 Tropical cyclones generally move in a NorthWest
Direction.
 When tropical cyclones reach land, they die out
because they are cut off from the warm ocean waters
that keep them going.
INSIDE a TROPICAL
CYCLONE
INSIDE a TROPICAL
CYCLONE
 MORE ABOUT TROPICAL
CYCLONES

The lowest air pressure is at the eye of a tropical

cyclone.
At the eye of a tropical cyclone, wind speed is low.
 At the eyewall, wind speed is great.
When the eye of a tropical cyclone passes a certain
place, it is the winds at the eyewall that wreck a lot
of damage.
QUESTIONS
SO FAR?
 In addition to strong winds and rain, tropical
cyclones are capable of generating high waves,
damaging storm surge, and tornadoes. They typically
weaken rapidly over land where they are cut off from
their primary energy source.
Heavy rains, however, can cause significant
flooding inland, and storm surges can produce
extensive coastal flooding up to 40 kilometres
(25 mi) from the coastline.
 WHAT IS A STORM SURGE?
 A storm surge is a coastal flood or tsunami-like
phenomenon of rising water commonly
associated with low pressure weather systems
(such as tropical cyclones and strong
extratropical cyclones).
 Storm surge is simply water that is pushed
toward the shore by the force of the winds
swirling around the storm.
 WHAT IS A STORM SURGE?

Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water

produced by a storm. The primary cause of
a storm surge is the strong winds from a
hurricane for example or from a tropical
storm. The stronger the storm, the higher
possibilities of having a Storm surge.
 WHAT IS A TSUNAMI?

Tsunami immense sea waves which occur mostly because

of the underwater events such as earthquake, mudslides or
volcanic eruption. An earthquake occurs in the deep ocean
water and can violently jolt the seafloor. These walls of
water can cause a massive destruction when they crash the
shore. In short, Storm surges occur during a storm only but
a tsunami can occur when there is an underwater
movement.
 Storm tide is the water level
Storm surge is an abnormal
rise during a storm due to
rise of water generated by a
the combination of storm
storm, over and above the
surge and the astronomical
predicted astronomical tide.
tide.
Shown on the side are
the tracks (paths) of
four tropical cyclones
that entered the PAR
in the past years. The
tracks were plotted by
PAGASA. Study the
maps and answer the
following questions.
QUESTION
S:
1. Where did the tropical cyclones form?
On land or in the ocean?
 All tropical cyclones in the Philippines
start in the Pacific Ocean. Tropical
cyclones usually form where there is
warm water. The temperature should be
26.5°C or more.
QUESTION
S:
2. What can you say about the temperature of the
bodies of water in the vicinity of the Philippines? Is
the water warm or cold?
 Our country is located near the equator. Thus, it
is warm in the vicinity of the Philippines, both on
land and in the surrounding bodies of water. The
warm water supplies the water vapor that a
tropical cyclone needs to keep it going.
QUESTION
S:

3. In what direction did the tropical

cyclones move?
 Tropical cyclones move in a northwest
direction. Not all tropical cyclones move
this way. But this is the general rule for
those that start from the Pacific Ocean.
QUESTION
S:
4. Which part of the Philippines was hit by the four
tropical cyclones?
 All the four tropical cyclones hit northern
Philippines or the island of Luzon. Note where
the tropical cyclones start: at the latitude of the
Visayas and Mindanao. So when a tropical
cyclone moves to the northwest, it ends up in
Luzon.
 Are you prepared?
When a tropical cyclone enters the PAR
and it is on its way toward land, warning
signals are issued. The following signals are
used by PAGASA to warn people about the
approaching weather disturbance. Do you
know what the signals mean?
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS
(PSWS)

PSWS # 1
WHAT IT MEANS
-A tropical cyclone will affect the locality
-Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least
36 hours
-Irregular rains may be expected within 36 hours
THE FOLLOWING MAY HAPPEN
-Twigs and branches of small trees are broken
-Some banana plants are tilted or downed
-Some houses of very light materials partially unroofed
-Rice crops suffer significant damage in its flowering stage

WHAT TO DO
-Watch out for big waves
-Listen to severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS
(PSWS)

PSWS # 2

WHAT IT MEANS
A tropical cyclone will affect the locality
Winds of greater than 60 kph up to 100 kph may
be expected in at least 24 hours
THE FOLLOWING MAY HAPPEN
-Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be
partially or totally unroofed
-Some old galvanized iron roof may be peeled off
-Winds may bring light to moderate damage to exposed
communities
-Some coconut trees may be tilted while few are broken
-big trees may be uprooted
-Many banana plants may be downed
-Rice and corn may be adversely affected
PSWs # 2:

WHAT TO DO
-Avoid riding in small seacraft
-Those who travel by sea and air should
avoid unnecessary risks
-Postpone outdoor activities of children
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS
(PSWS)

PSWS # 3

WHAT IT MEANS
A tropical cyclone will affect locality
Winds of greater than 100 kph to 185 kph
may be expected in at least 18 hours
THE FOLLOWING MAY HAPPEN
-Many coconut trees broken or destroyed
-Almost all banana plants downed and a large number of
trees uprooted
-Rice and corn crops suffer heavy losses
-Majority of all nipa and cogon houses uprooted or
destroyed; considerable damage to structures of light to
medium construction
-Widespread disruption of electrical power and
communication services
-Moderate to heavy damage experienced in agricultural and
industrial sectors
PSWs # 3:

WHAT TO DO
-Avoid riding in any seacraft
-Seek shelter in strong buildings
-Evacuate from low-lying areas
-Stay away from coasts and river banks
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS
(PSWS)

PSWS # 4

WHAT IT MEANS
A very intense typhoon will affect locality
very strong winds of more than 185 kph
maybe expected in at least 12 hours
THE FOLLOWING MAY HAPPEN
-Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damage
-Many large trees maybe uprooted
-Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses
-Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed
construction maybe severely damaged
-Electrical power distribution and communication
services maybe severely disrupted
-Damage to affected communities can be very heavy
PSWs # 4:

WHAT TO DO
-All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled
-Evacuation to safer shelters should have been
completed by now
-The locality is very likely to be hit directly by the
eye of the typhoon.
 To be fully prepared for tropical cyclones, you
should also put together an emergency kit which
includes the following: drinking water, canned goods,
can opener, radio, flashlight, extra batteries, clothes,
blanket, and first aid kit. You never know when you
will need it. You must learn how to rely on yourself.
In times of disaster, it may take a while before help
arrives.