How can a tropical cyclone form form in warm ocean waters?

Question

Some call tropical cyclone as typhoons while others call it cyclones. Regardless of what they are called, there are several favorable environmental conditions that must be in place.

Answer 1

The require low wind shear and moisture.

Answer 2

Tropical cyclones are like giant engines that use warm, moist air as fuel. That is why they form only over warm ocean waters near the equator. The warm, moist air over the ocean rises upward from near the surface. Because this air moves up and away from the surface, there is less air left near the surface. Another way to say the same thing is that the warm air rises, causing an area of lower air pressure below.

As you say regardless of what they are called, there are several favorable environmental conditions that must be in place before a tropical cyclone can form. They are:

    * Warm ocean waters (at least 80°F / 27°C) throughout a depth of about 150 ft. (46 m).

    * An atmosphere which cools fast enough with height such that it is potentially unstable to moist convection.

    * Relatively moist air near the mid-level of the troposphere (16,000 ft. / 4,900 m).

    * Generally a minimum distance of at least 300 miles (480 km) from the equator.

    * A pre-existing near-surface disturbance.

    * Low values (less than about 23 mph / 37 kph) of vertical wind shear between the surface and the upper troposphere. Vertical wind shear is the change in wind speed with height.

Answer 3

Tropical cyclones help regulate the earth's temperature, any decrease in tropical cyclone intensity means the oceans retain more heat.

When sea surface temperatures are at least 80 deg F throughout a depth of about 150 ft, a tropical cyclones form near the equator. They form in seven regions around the world. One rare exception to the lack of tropical cyclones near the equator was Typhoon Vamei which formed near Singapore on Dec 27, 2001.

The warm water powers the tropical cyclone. Warm moist air moves over the ocean. Water vapor rises into the atmosphere. As the water vapor rises, it cools and condenses into liquid droplets. Condensation releases heat into the atmosphere making the air lighter. The warmed air continues to rise with moist air from the ocean taking its place creating more wind.

Answer 4

Warm ocean surfaces(above 26.5 degree celcius) are the birth places of many tropical cyclones.If the water surface is warm, evaporation takes place on a large scale. If other favourable conditions are also there(steep lapse rate,away from the equator etc.) humid and warm air rises and convections takes place on a large scale leading to condensation and formation of a storm.The energy of a storm is derived from the latent heat of condensation of the ascending moist air.

So,warm water surface means,more evaporation,more convection,more condensation,more the releae of latent heat of condensation and more the chances for the formation of tropical storm.