Typhoons-Purple

Typhoons Elisa R. & Jack M.Purple Class

Introduction Typhoons are strong tropical storms that have wind speeds that are above 74mph. These can also be known as cyclones or hurricanes.(1&5) Hurricanes however occur on Atlantic Ocean, Carribean, and Pacific Ocean.(5) Cyclones form on the Bay of Bengal. (8) Typhoons usually can occur in the west Pacific and/or the Indian Ocean.(2) Typhoons are caused by //warm water, moisture, and inward spiraling winds.// (2) An example of a current Typhoon was the Typhoon that hit Japan on Sept. 2011. This Typhoon left 37 people dead and many people missing. It destroyed many buildings leaving people unsheltered and homeless. (3)

For frequently asked questions on Typhoons visit: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html

Dangers __The Effects of Typhoons__: (7) Typhoons effect all life and buildings, leaving much destruction in its path.

// Animals: // Typhoons can be very harmful to animals. Since typhoons cause floods and strong winds, animals can drown or be swept up and killed. If a smaller animal were to drown or be killed, he would no longer provide a food source for a larger animal. Animals can also be affected by a Typhoon when their owner has been killed or can't take care of them leaving then vulnerable. //Humans:// Humans are the most affected however. Not only is it possible that their lives may be taken away, but their homes can be destroyed as well. Due to the floods and mudslides that can occur during typhoons people can be stranded for days. They could have no access to food, water, shelter, or medical help if injured. Even being stranded in ones own house can come down to a low or no food supply that can lead to more deaths. The destruction of homes can also lead to costly rebuilding and repurchase of items, this creates poverty throughout the city.

//Plant Life:// Most people think that plants are not affected by typhoons. Plants can be drowned by the excessive water or they can be ripped from the ground by the winds. If the typhoon has strong winds it can even rip large trees out of the ground. The trees can than hit buildings or cars creating more damage within the society. Mudslides caused by typhoons can take many plants with them as well. After a typhoon humans aren't the only ones that have to rebuild their lives, plants have to grow again.

Conditions of Formation media type="youtube" key="BGu9DX3NDSo" height="315" width="420" Conditions of a Typhoon: (1) 1. pre-existing disturbance 2. warm ocean water 3. low atmosphere stability 4. sufficient Coriolis effect 5. moist mid-atmosphere 6. upper atmosphere divergence

There are certain conditions needed to produce a Typhoon that are listed above. (1) They start out as a large cluster of thunderstorms that make their way over warm ocean water. The warm water from the ocean and the very warm water from the storm combine and begin to rise. By rises they produce a low pressure area. As the warm air keeps rising it cause low pressure to go higher and higher up. Trade winds blowing is different directions make the rising warm air start to spin. Because of the low pressure, more warm air begins to rise from the surface of the water and cold dry air is pulled down into the storm from above. As the storm begins to move over the ocean it picks up more and more warm water off of the surface of the ocean and starts to spin faster and faster. Typhoons aren't formed imediatly they can take a few hours or days to form into a full Typhoon. What this produces is strong spirling winds with heavy precipitation and in the center an "eye" which is an area of low pressure and low or no winds. The faster a Typhoon is spinning the more disastorous it can be. (8)

Historical Examples Throughout history typhoons have been recorded and there have been massive storms throughout history. The typhoon with the highest wind speed was Typhoon Nancy which happend in 1962.(10) Typhoon Nancy had wind speeds that reached 315 km/h(215 mph). The typhoon that happend the longest was typhoon John in 1970. Typhoon John lasted for an amazing 30 days in 1994.(10) Typhoons can cause millions of dollars in property damage and take hundreds of human lives. The typhoon that caused the most damaging both property and human lives was typhoon Mike which happend in 1990. Typhoon Mike caused over $220 million dollars in property damage and killed 748 people.(10)

Safety Safety Precautions:
 * Secure or bring in items that are outdoors (move heavy objects away from any windows) (4)
 * Keep calm during the storm, so as not to get hurt by being reckless (9)
 * Listen to reports on radio or TV to be updated on Typhoon (9)
 * Set frezzer to coldest temperature, so if power were to go off food wouldn't spoil (4)
 * Stock up on water, medical, and food in case of being trapped (9)
 * Watch for open windows or doors so to not let water it (in cause of water have towels) (4)
 * Trim your trees, so there is a less chance of a tree branch hitting your house or you (9)
 * If storm is very strong move to an area where there is the least exposure to any windows (hallways) (4)
 * Pull down curtains, so if window were to shatter glass won't fly everywhere (4)
 * If your house/area were to flood do not use any electric appliances (9)
 * In case of a window breaking place a matress or seat cusion over the crack and secure with a heavy piece of furniture (4)
 * Make sure that a window that is on the side of the house facing away from the incoming storm is slighty open to help with the differences of air pressure outside and inside (4)
 * Do not drive during a Typhoon (9)
 * Remember that Typhoons have "eyes" (areas at the center of the storm where weather is calm) and the storm might appear over but isn't. (4)
 * After storm check for any safety hazards, such as downed power lines, broken glass, or fallen trees (4)

For information on the safety of different strengths of a typhoon visit: http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7290

Sources


 * 1) "What Causes Typhoons?" //What Causes Typhoons?// Web. 10 Jan. 2012. .
 * 2) //Typhoons//. Thinkquest. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. .
 * 3) Press, The Associated. "Japan Typhoon Death Toll Rises." //CBC.ca - Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV//. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. .
 * 4) "Embassy of the United States Tokyo, Japan." //Typhoon Tips//. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. .
 * 5) "What's The Difference Between A Hurricane And Typhoon? | News Archive." //Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News//. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. .
 * 6) "Understanding the Danger: What Causes Typhoons? - GreenPacks." //GreenPacks - Caring about the World We Live in//. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. .
 * 7) Delacroix, Desdemona. "What Effects Do Typhoons Cause on Animals, Humans & Plants? | EHow.com." //EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. | EHow.com//. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. .
 * 8) "Development of Typhoon Dodong | Typhoon Dodong." //Typhoon Dodong - News and Tips to Prepare for Typhoon Dodong//. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. .
 * 9) "Safety during Typhoons." //Healthypinoy: Knowledge for Wellness//. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. .
 * 10) "TCFAQ E : TROPICAL CYCLONE RECORDS." //Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory//. Web. 24 Jan. 2012. .