GEOGRAPHY

MODULE 18
 Pressure Systems
• In atmosphere there are two types of pressure systems.
• The pressure system where wind rotates around low pressure center inward
called as Cyclones.
• Pressure system where wind rotates around high pressure center & outward is
referred as Anticyclone.
CYCLONES
• Cyclones are irregular wind which rotates around low pressure center over & above surface
of Earth.
• Due to atmospheric disturbances & rotation of Earth.
• Cyclones are formed in both Hemisphere of Earth.
• In Northern hemisphere they acquire anticlock-wise rotation & clock wise in Southern
hemisphere.

• On the basis of mode of formation, place & orientation (path traced) cyclones are classified
as-
1) Tropical cyclone
2) Temperate or Extra-tropical cyclone.
 Tropical Cyclones

Ideal conditions for formation of Tropical cyclones-

• High temperature (around 27 degree)

• Weak vertical wind shear

( wind shear refers to change in direction or speed of wind in short distance).

• High relative humidity (moisture)

• Rotation of Earth (coriolis force)
• A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.
 Characteristics’ of Tropical cyclone-
• Size & Shape- Compact & Elliptical
(steep pressure gradient)

Tropical cyclones are very intensive.

• Orientation – Parabolic
• Structure of Tropical Cyclone
1) Tropical cyclone are formed on surface of large water bodies where temperature is
high, when it enters land, this phenomenon is referred as “landfall”
2) Eye of tropical cyclone is low pressure area, it is most violent in sea/ocean surface
and calm on land. On land it is clear from clouds & no precipitation in eye region. It
is formed when small portion of air descends down at center.
3) At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero and the wind blows perpendicular to the
isobars. The low pressure gets filled instead of getting intensified. That is the reason
why tropical cyclones are not formed near the equator.
4) The diameter of the storm over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea and Indian ocean is
between 600 - 1200 km. The system moves slowly about 300 - 500 km per day.
5) At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero and the wind blows perpendicular to the
isobars. The low pressure gets filled instead of getting intensified. That is the reason
why tropical cyclones are not formed near the equator.
 Average Tropical cyclones region wise- (annual)
• Bay of Bengal – 6 cyclones (average annually) – 10% of total tropical cyclones.

• Arabian Sea - 2 cyclones - 3% of total

• South Indian Ocean - 6 cyclones - 10% of total

• North East Pacific – 10 cyclones - 16% of total

• North West Pacific - 22 cyclones – 36% of total

• South Pacific - 7 cyclones - 11% of total

• Off North West Australian coast – 7 cyclones – 11% of total.

 Naming of Tropical Cyclones

To provide ease of communication between forecasters & general public.

Identify each individual cyclone.

More than one cyclone can form at same time in same basin.

Create awareness of its development.

WMO & ESCAP (Economic & Social Commission for Asia & Pacific)
“Panel On Tropical Cyclones” in 1972 as Intergovernmental body.

RSMC – Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre.

TCWC- Tropical Cyclone warning Centre.
• Worldwide there are six regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMCs) and five
regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) mandated for issuing advisories and
naming of tropical cyclones.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) is one of the six RSMCs to provide tropical cyclone
and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under WMO/ESCAP.
• RSMC, New Delhi is also mandated to name the Tropical Cyclones developing over the
north Indian Ocean (NIO) including the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and the Arabian Sea (AS).
 Five new members

1 Iran

2 Qatar

3 Saudi Arabia

4 UAE

5 Yemen
Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar,
Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Thailand.
• The following criteria were adopted for selection of names in the
region:

• The proposed name should be neutral to (a) politics and political figures (b)
religious believes, (c) cultures and (d) gender,

• Name should be chosen in such a way that it does not hurt the sentiments of
any group of population over the globe,

• It should not be rude and cruel in nature,

• It should be short, easy to pronounce and should not be offensive to any

WMO Member,
• The maximum length of the name will be eight letters,

• The proposed name should be provided along with its pronunciation and
voice over,

• The Panel reserves the right to reject any name, if any of the criteria
above is not satisfied,

• The names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean will not be
repeated. Once used, it will cease to be used again.

• Panel Members’ names will be listed alphabetically country-wise. The

names will be used sequentially, column-wise.
 The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:
1) Formation and Initial Development Stage-The formation and initial development of a
cyclonic storm depends upon various conditions. These are:
• A warm sea (a temperature in excess of 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 m) with
abundant and turbulent transfer of water vapour to the overlying atmosphere by
evaporation.
• Atmospheric instability encouraging formation of massive vertical cumulus clouds due to
convection with condensation of rising air above ocean surface.
2) Mature Tropical Cyclones -When a tropical storm intensifies, the air rises in vigorous
thunderstorms and tends to spread out horizontally at the tropopause level. Once air
spreads out, a positive perturbation pressure at high levels is produced, which accelerates
the downward motion of air due to convection. With the inducement of subsidence, air
warms up by compression and a warm ‘Eye’ is generated. Generally, the ‘Eye’ of the storms
has three basic shapes: (i) circular; (ii) concentric; and (iii) elliptical. The main physical feature
of a mature tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean is a concentric pattern of highly turbulent
giant cumulus thundercloud bands.
3) Modification and Decay -A tropical cyclone begins to weaken in terms of its central low
pressure, internal warmth and extremely high speeds, as soon as its source of warm moist
air begins to ebb, or is abruptly cut off. This happens after its landfall or when it passes over
cold waters. The weakening of a cyclone does not mean that the danger to life and property
is over.
 Global warming & Tropical Cyclones
1. “There could be a 5% increase in maximum cyclonic wind speeds if the world warmed by
2°C by 2100”.

2. Rapid intensification which could make them unpredictable and difficult to monitor. Rapid
intensification happens when there is an increase of maximum sustained winds of a
cyclone by at least 55 kilometers per hour within 24 hours.
Why more cyclones in Arabian Sea?
1) Global Warming.

2) El-Nino Modoki-
During this special year (El-Niño Modoki) descending limb of Walker
circulation in western part creates strong divergence in Bay of Bengal, which
is one of the reason for reducing number of cyclones in Bay of Bengal
during El-Nino modoki year.
 3) IOD

Positive phase of IOD

4) MJO

Enhanced Phase or Convective phase

on Arabian Sea
 TEMPERATE CYCLONES
Also referred as extra-tropical cyclones, develops in temperate region of Earth. (30 – 60 degree lat)

It is formed when two Air masses of different temperatures meet (Air-front) & creates occlusion.
Characteristics of Temperate
cyclones-

They are large in size & inverted

V shape.

Less intensive than tropical

cyclones & human friendly.

Travel west to east along

westerly.
 Western Disturbances
In India these temperate cyclones are also
referred as “Western disturbances” which
originates in Mediterranean region & reaches
India and brings winter precipitation in north-
western part of India.

In Rajasthan it is referred as “Mawat”.

It is very significant for India-

*It helps in Rabi crops in north-western part of

India ( Punjab & Haryana)

* It helps in increasing ice deposits in middle

Himalayas.

* Excessive precipitation can cause flash-

floods, avalanches & socio-economic loss.
 ANTICYCLONES
These are high pressure system, more common in sub-tropical high pressure belts,
generally associated with rainless weather phenomenon.
Characteristics-
1) Usually circular sometimes assume V shape.
Maximum air pressure at center & decreases outward.
2) Much larger in size & area than temperate cyclone.
3) Track is variable & unpredictable, with average velocity of 30-50 KMPH.
4) They rotate clockwise in Northern hemisphere & anti-clockwise in Southern
hemisphere.
5) Descending winds at Centre (polar cold air mass or tropical air mass), cause
atmospheric stability. ( clear & rainless)
6) Temperature in anti-cyclone depends on weather, nature of air mass & humidity in
the air.
 THUNDERSTORMS

Localized, short-lived & destructive. Produced by cumulonimbus clouds.

Conditions for formation-
1) Warm & humid air in lower layer of atmosphere.
2) Atmosphere instability- “intense connectivity’

• Referred as “Weather Factory”

• Two types of lightening-

1) Cloud to ground
2) In-cloud lightening (80%), never meet ground, it jumps from one ground to other.
Both these lightening makes “total-Lightening”
“Negative charges are carried downward, and positive charges are carried upward.
When the separation of charges reaches a threshold, the molecules and atoms of the
atmosphere become conductive, and electric current flows along a narrow path.”
“The atmosphere is heated explosively to produce light and generate a shock wave in
the air, which we hear as thunder.”
 Stages of Formation

1 Cumulus Stage
( Strong updraft & initiation of
downdraft)

2 Mature Stage
(Strong updraft & downdraft)

3 Dissipating Stage
(Updraft stops & end of
Downdraft)

When the clouds extend to heights where sub-zero temperature prevails, hails are formed
and they come down as hailstorm.
If there is insufficient moisture, a thunderstorm can generate dust storms.
 TORNADO

Most Destructive & short lived.

Vertical funnel of rapidly spinning air from bottom of Cumulonimbus cloud.

Form/ developed in part of Earth except Antarctica.

Very steep pressure gradient. (wind speed reaches to 500 – 600 KPH.

Move single or family cover 25-30 km length on ground at 30 – 45 KPH.

Measured by “Enhanced Fujita Scale”

Tornado developed on water surface is “Waterspout”

 CLOUDBURSTING
• Extreme amount of precipitation in short time at small space.

• Inter-molecular forces between water molecules get very high because of

rapid decrease of temperature or excess electro-static induction in cloud
causing lightening to remain inside cloud, which cause hyperactive energy
inside clouds. Water molecule gets denser & denser & get condensed but do
not leave cloud due to excess of electro forces. This increases weight, when
water unable to maintain forces with clouds, so fall as huge precipitation in
short time at small area.

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) labels rainfall over 100 mm per
hour in area of 20 – 80 square kms as cloudburst,
 With reference to Tropical Cyclones, consider the following statements:
• 1. It requires large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C for its formation.
• 2. Corolis Force is not required in the formation of Tropical Cyclones.
• 3. Cyclonic wind movements are anti-clockwise in the Southern hemisphere and
clockwise in the Northern hemisphere.

• Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

• [A] 1 and 2 only
• [B] 2 and 3 only
• [C] 1 and 3 only
• [D] 1, 2 and 3
. Consider the following factors:
1. Rotation of the Earth.
2. Air pressure & wind
3. Density of Ocean water.
4. Revolution of the Earth.

Which of the above factors influence the Ocean currents?

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 1, 2 & 3
c) 1 & 4
d) 2, 3 & 4
. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where

a) Warm & cold atmospheric currents meet.

b) Rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea.
c) Warm & cold oceanic currents meet.
d) Continent shelf is undulating.
. What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

a) The Earth’s rotation on its axis.

b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents.
c) Difference in salinity of water.
d) Occurrence of the belt of calm near the equator.
 Consider the following statements:

• A. Jet streams Occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

• B. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
• C. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10 C lesser than that of
the surroundings.

• Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 2 only
• D. 1 and 3 only
• What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of
tropical cyclones?
• Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone
areas given by India Meteorological Department.
• What is the phenomenon of ‘Cloudbursts’? Explain.
• What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around
the Gulf of Mexico?
PRELIMS PRACTICE
QUESTION
Q.1 With respect to the ideal conditions for the formation of Tropical Cyclones, consider
the following statements:
I. Their formation requires a high sea surface temperature of around 27 degrees
Celsius and a weak vertical wind shear.
II. They are frequently formed near the equator because the Coriolis force at the
equator accelerates cyclonic intensification.
III. The presence of an upper divergence above the sea level system aids in their
formation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Q.2 With respect to Anticyclones, consider the following statements:
I. They are high-pressure systems where winds rotate clockwise in the Northern
hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.
II. They are characterized by strong ascending winds at the center, which cause heavy
rainfall and atmospheric instability.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q.3 With respect to Temperate Cyclones (Western Disturbances), consider the following
statements:
I. They are formed when two air masses of different temperatures meet and create an
occlusion.
II. They travel from east to west along the easterly wind belts.
III. In India, they originate in the Mediterranean region and bring winter precipitation
to north-western parts of the country.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and II only
(b) I and III only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
Q.4 With respect to Thunderstorms and their formation stages, consider the following
statements:
I. The vast majority of lightning generated by thunderstorms is cloud-to-ground
lightning, accounting for 80% of the total.
II. During the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm, the strong updraft stops and the
downdraft eventually ends.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q.5 With respect to Tornadoes, consider the following statements:
I. It is a vertical funnel of rapidly spinning air that extends from the bottom of a
cumulonimbus cloud.
II. Tornadoes can develop in any part of the Earth, including the continent of
Antarctica.
III. A tornado that develops over a water surface is specifically referred to as a
"waterspout".
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and III only
(b) I and II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
 ANSWER KEY
1 2 3 4 5
C A B B A
MAINS PRACTICE
QUESTION
1. Discuss the ideal conditions necessary for the formation of tropical cyclones. Elaborate
on the three stages of their development cycle: formation, mature stage, and decay.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)

2. Explain the mechanism and significance of Western Disturbances in North-Western

India. (10 Marks, 150 Words)