I had some questions during my prep. Although Geog isn't my optional still I liked it. I however could not find satisfactory answers to these questions !!
1. Why does the Tibetan plateau act as a heat engine. As to say that even 1 degree rise in temperature can alter the course of monsoons
2. Given that the cyclones are a tropical phenomenon. Then how come they struck in temperate zones. Say the one in US east coast. 'Hurricane Irena' or the recent one
3. Why does UK not have a climate. I mean not much variations in the weather through the year round.
4. Why do cyclone strike at the eastern coast in India and not much in the western coast. As if we notice it is seen that cyclones typically create much havoc in the eastern coast rather the western coast?
Comments
Conventional wisdom has it that tropical cyclones can only form at least 5 or 8 degrees of latitude away from the Equator, while some studies suggest that this rule of thumb is dangerous oversimplification (Brunt, 1969, Australian Meteorological Magazine).
In recent years, a few tropical storms have made landfall this close to the Equator. An unofficial list of such recent near-Equator storms could include tropical storm Washi that hit the Philippines last December (Dec. 16, 2011), tropical storm Agni that hit Somalia on Dec. 5 2004, and tropical storm Vamie that struck near Singapore on Dec. 27, 2001. In the past half century, the two tropical storms with the most similar landfall locations in the southern Philippines may be Kate (1970) that made landfall at category 4 and caused over 600 deaths and Washy (2011) that make landfall as a tropical storm and caused over 1,000 deaths.
Bopha (the recent philippine cyclone) is designated a super-typhoon because it formed in the West Pacific (hence the "typhoon" nickname) and because it reached major cyclone status, or category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale (hence the "super" designation).
The physical mechanisms contributing to such an event will take scientists time to unravel. (NASA)
Well, it is still a matter of research for scientists! hence we cannot give a reason for it.
2. There are temperate cyclones as well. They occur due to frontal convergence. Tropical cyclones usually occurs at the edges of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). ITCZ moves right up till the tropics. So, tropical cyclones occurs even at 30deg.
Hurricane Irene is a tropical cyclone and it occurred in the tropics and not in the temperate zone.
3. UK does have set of climates with variations. Having moderate precipitation all year round does not mean, it has 'no climate' Climate of region is dependent on the relief, winds, ocean currents, air masses, latitudinal position among other things. UK for example, has a clear winter, spring season among others.
4. When the SW Monsoon comes in from the west, the low pressure system is stronger over the land and no cyclone can occur on land. When NE Monsoon comes in there is a low pressure system in the Bay of Bengal due to the southward movement of the ITCZ among other reasons and so we have cyclones.
Its a commonly said line in England that they don't have any climate but only weather, because they weather fluctuates a lot there. Unlike Climate, which is the average weather condition of a place over a long period (like hot & humid is the climatic condition of the Equatorial region), weather is the fleeting condition. And in UK, the weather changes abruptly. Hence the saying.
Now why this occurs, can be found in Go-Cheng-Leong book. Havent read it in a long time. Maybe some Geog optional guys can help here.
@bikerGuy can you help with this?
The main cause is Coriolis effect.
Since india is in northern hemisphere, so in here, due to coriolis force, winds tend to turn toward their right while moving.
So, whatever cyclones are formed in Bay of bengal, they turn toward their right, hitting our eastern coast.
When cyclones are formed in arabian sea, they get deflected away from india.
But, they are exceptions also, since this is not the only factor.