In recent years, concern has grown that with ongoing climate ...

[berenicecastro]

In recent years, concern has grown that with ongoing climate change, certain parts of the Earth atmosphere system may be reaching tipping points, or conditions in which the pace of change may increase rapidly and irreversibly.
 
  Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Question 2

What are tropical cyclones and what conditions are needed for their development?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[BUTTHOL369]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: TRUE

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Tropical cyclones are intense, rotating convectional systems that develop over warm ocean areas in the tropics and subtropics. They develop primarily during the warm season. When such storms have wind velocities exceeding 74 miles/hour, they are called hurricanes in North America. In other regions, they are given different names. In western Pacific they are called typhoons and in the Indian Ocean and northern Australia they are called cyclones.

Tropical cyclones typically develop in the eastern portion of an ocean within the trade-wind belt. They begin as areas of low pressure and converging winds, drawing in warm, moisture-laden air. Tropical storms move with the general circulation over the subtropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, from east to west. They thrive on warm, moist air, so they are most intense over ocean areas during the warm season. They lose intensity over land because they lose their source of energy. Furthermore, the smooth ocean surface favors development of high winds. In contrast, the hills and trees of land areas slow the wind by friction.