WEATHER DISTURBANCES AND OTHER PHENOMENA

A weather disturbance is a general term that describes any pulse of energy moving through the atmosphere. They are important in that they can act as focusing mechanisms for storm formation, or even to intensity low pressure system. They are typically mid or upper atmospheric troughs of low pressure that is embedded in the general wind flow of the atmosphere.
Weather Disturbances are disturbances in the weather such as: 1. Typhoons 2. Hurricanes 3. Global Warming 4. Tornadoes 5. Cyclones 6. Storms

TYPHOONS
A typhoon is a violent cyclone that occurs in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Typhoons feature heavy rains and winds that maintain speeds equal to or greater than 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour. Similar storms that occur in other parts of the world are called tropical cyclones or hurricanes. The word typhoon comes from the Chinese term tai-fung, meaning great wind. Typhoons occur most frequently in the late summer. They form over warm seas between about 5 and 20 degrees of latitude from the equator. They tend to move west, northwest, and eventually northeast at speeds of 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 kilometers) per hour. Inside a typhoon, strong winds blow in a counterclockwise direction around an area of low pressure at the storm's center, which is called the eye. The eye usually measures about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 64 kilometers) in diameter. The strongest winds blow inside the eye wall, a ring of clouds that surrounds the eye. These winds often reach speeds of more than 110 miles (180 kilometers) per hour. The heavy rains and strong winds of a typhoon can cause great loss of life and billions of dollars in property damage. As a typhoon approaches lands, its winds produce a rush of seawater called a storm surge that can devastate coastal areas.

HURRICANES

A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone. In order to be a hurricane, the wind speeds must reach at least 74 mph (119 km). Category 5 hurricanes reach winds 156+ mph (251+ km). They generate copious rain, which can cause flooding, and the possibility of tornadoes when they near landfall.

Hurricanes only form over warm seas, where the temperature is from 16C to 27C . This is the reason why they normally form only in the tropics. Rising hot air from the surface powers rapid air movement, which is extremely powerful as it swirls around in an anti-clockwise direction. The flow increases the drop of pressure within the storm. Rain, high winds, hail, and tornadoes are found in the clouds around the hurricane. The center (eye) of the storm is almost always clear of this activity. Tropical storms may reach a width of 80km to 650km. A hurricane is a natural phenomenon that transfers excess heat from the tropics to the upper latitudes. The normal year-round process is by moist airflow, and only forms these extreme systems under specific circumstances. A hurricane is a name given to a tropical cyclone. This massive atmospheric disturbance is centered on a large low pressure area, and circulating air masses will spawn thunderstorms that have strong winds and heavy rain. Links can be found below. GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earths surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and human induced. In common usage, global warming often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities.

An increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained increase great enough to cause changes in the global climate. The Earth has experienced numerous episodes of global warming through its history, and currently appears to be undergoing such warming. The present warming is generally attributed to an increase in the greenhouse effect , brought about by increased levels of greenhouse gases, largely due to the effects of human industry and agriculture. Expected long-term effects of current global warming are rising sea levels, flooding, melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, more frequent and stronger El Nios and La Nias, drought, heat waves, and forest fires. See more at greenhouse effect.
CYCLONE

A large-scale system of winds that spiral in toward a region of low atmospheric pressure. A cyclone's rotational direction is opposite to that of an anticyclone. In the Northern hemisphere, a cyclone rotates counterclockwise; in the Southern hemisphere, clockwise. Because lowpressure systems generally produce clouds and precipitation, cyclones are

often simply referred to as storms.