Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mysterious power of typhoons: How do they form in tropical oceans?
Typhoons, a natural phenomenon, begin in the vast tropical oceans. On the hot sea waters, they are like dancers, displaying a powerful and mysterious force following the guidance of the wind. Whenever a typhoon strikes, the extreme weather and disasters it causes often plunge the entire country into an atmosphere of tension and anxiety. But how exactly do these fearsome cyclones form?
A typhoon is a type of tropical cyclone that usually forms in the northwestern Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere and has sustained winds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph).
The global typhoon generation area is mainly located in tropical waters, especially in the northwest Pacific Ocean, which accounts for one-third of the world's tropical cyclones. The formation of typhoons is inseparable from specific climatic conditions and ocean environment. First, warm seawater is a key factor in promoting the formation of typhoons. The sea temperature must reach above 26.5°C (79.7°F) and be maintained at a depth of at least 50 meters.
The development of a typhoon requires many factors, including warm sea surface, unstable air flow and high humidity in the atmosphere.
When the ocean surface becomes warm enough, water vapor gradually rises, forming a low-pressure area, which in turn continuously attracts the surrounding air, causing many updrafts. The accumulated heat and water vapor provide energy for the development of typhoons. In addition, instability in the atmosphere is also an essential factor. High humidity from sea level to the middle and lower troposphere can further promote the formation and growth of clouds. These factors work together to promote the development of typhoons, making them a force that cannot be underestimated in tropical oceans.
Obviously, the formation of a typhoon requires sufficient Coriolis effect to promote the development of a low-pressure center. The distance from the equator is also very important, with a distance of typically 500 km required for an influential rotation cycle to occur. In most cases of tropical cyclone formation, interactions or disturbances related to the circulation are essential. It is worth noting that about 85% to 90% of typhoons in the northwest Pacific are formed in the monsoon trough.
Typhoons in the Pacific Ocean peak between July and October each year, and there is no shortage of strong tropical cyclones during this period.
Although typhoons are mostly formed between June and November, they are less likely to form from December to May each year, but they are still possible. This period is generally dominated by the chance of cyclone formation, although its intensity is relatively low. During this period, tropical systems entered a phase of extremely catastrophic formation, which also reminds people that they still need to pay attention to potential risks even during the low peak period.
During the typhoon formation process, in addition to warm sea water and high humidity environment, other factors such as atmospheric stability, sudden changes in the low level and light wind shear are considered to be the conditions for the continued strengthening of typhoons. If wind shear is greater than a certain critical value, the typhoon's organization will be reduced and the possibility of it transforming into a typhoon in the future will decrease. Therefore, controlling these factors is crucial to predicting the formation of typhoons.
With the impact of climate change, the paths of typhoons will also be affected, making typhoon prediction more complicated. When the position of the subtropical high pressure ridge moves, the path of the typhoon will also change. For example, in an El Niño year, typhoons may have more impacts on the coast of Japan, while in La Niña years, tropical cyclone formation will shift more toward the coast of China. Amid this complex interaction, how to accurately predict the path and intensity of a typhoon becomes a major challenge for meteorologists.
Behind the formation of typhoons lies the complex environment and changes in nature.
Resident monitoring agencies in the region, such as the Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency, are responsible for typhoon risk warnings and the naming of tropical cyclones. Whenever a typhoon causes disaster in a certain area, the affected area can request that the name of the typhoon be withdrawn at the naming meeting, making the typhoon naming work more sensitive and humanitarian.
After experiencing countless typhoons, our understanding and knowledge of these natural phenomena are still not completely solid. However, whether it is the evolution of wind or the naming of typhoons, they all show the complex relationship between humans and nature. As global climate change continues, what impact will it have on future typhoon behavior?
