Tropical cyclones are named based on their location. In the Northwest Pacific Ocean—affecting countries like the Philippines, Japan, China and Vietnam—these powerful storms are called “Typhoons.” While they are scientifically the same as hurricanes, the name “Typhoon” is specific to ...
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The T-scale (part of the Dvorak Technique) is used to estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones. It uses satellite imagery to analyze the cloud patterns and the structure of the “eye.” By assigning a “T-number” (from 1.0 to 8.0), meteorologists ...
At high altitudes, air is “free” and balances perfectly between pressure and the Coriolis force, blowing parallel to isobars. Near the ground, however, friction from trees and buildings slows the wind down. Since the Coriolis force depends on speed, it ...
Frontal rainfall occurs when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass, a process central to “Extratropical” cyclonic activity. In this interaction, the lighter warm air is forced to rise over the denser cold air. As the warm air ...
The Harmattan is known as the “doctor wind” in West Africa. It blows from the Sahara Desert toward the coast. Its name comes from the fact that it is very dry and cool, which provides a healthy relief from the ...