Winds, Storms and Cyclones
Synopsis
- Moving air is known as wind. Winds are accompanied by low pressure.
- Air always moves from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.
- Air expands on heating. Warm air is lighter than cold air.
- Wind currents are caused because of uneven heating of the earth.
- Uneven heating of the land is a result of the variation in distances from the sun and wind movements.
- Rains are caused by monsoon winds that carry water in them.
- When water is heated up, it changes into vapour.
- The swift movement of the falling water droplets along with the rising air create lightning and sound. It is called as thunderstorm.
- When water vapour changes back into liquid, it cools down by releasing some heat causing a low pressure.
- The formation of a very low - pressure system with high - speed winds revolving around it causes a cyclone.
- When winds from all directions rush in to fill the low pressure, it is called as cyclone.
- The factors that cause a cyclone are: wind, temperature and humidity.
- Cyclone is called as hurricane in American continent and a typhoon in Philippines and Japan.
- Satellites and radars are used as cyclone warning systems.
