Hello, storm chasers and weather enthusiasts! Have you ever been fascinated by the raw power and majesty of typhoons, those giant wind and rain engines that sweep the seas? Imagine you’re sitting by the window, watching the trees sway gently in the breeze, sipping on your favorite drink. The sky is a bit overcast, but nothing too dramatic. You check your phone, and suddenly, there’s a notification: “Typhoon Warning.”
Now, if you’re like most people, your first reaction is, “Oh no, here we go.” And then, you start thinking about all the things that could happen. Typhoons are powerful, dramatic, and often destructive, and while they make for exciting footage on the news, living through one is a whole other story. These natural phenomena are not only awe-inspiring but also hold the key to understanding the dynamics of our planet’s climate and weather systems.
A typhoon is a huge storm with a strong wind speed in tropical areas. It is also known as a tropical storm. Most typhoons strike in the northern part of the Philippines. It is one of the deadly disasters that happens several times yearly and creates a huge environmental change. Also, it keeps the temperature and heat at an equilibrium state.
The formation of typhoons is a natural phenomenon. The earth uses it to attain balance or equilibrium. Transferring energy from the Equator to older parts of the earth. Various names call them. In the Northwest Pacific, we call them typhoons. In the Indian Ocean and southwest Pacific, they’re called cyclones. And in the Atlantic, they’re called hurricanes. They form within the Intertropical Convergence Zone or the ITCZ.
We’re diving into the eye of the storm to uncover the secrets of what causes a typhoon. From the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean to the atmospheric conditions that fuel their fury, we’ll explore the intricate dance of elements that gives birth to these powerful storms. So, grab your raincoat and join us on this whirlwind adventure into the heart of typhoons. Are you ready to feel the wind in your hair and the thrill of discovery? Let’s go on this stormy voyage together!
What causes a Typhoon?
The formation of a typhoon is similar to that of a cyclone or hurricane, but it occurs in the western Pacific region. Here are the key factors that cause the formation of a typhoon:
Warm Ocean Waters: Typhoons require warm ocean waters with temperatures typically above 26.5°C (80°F) to provide the necessary energy for their formation. The warm waters evaporate, releasing moisture into the atmosphere.
Moisture and Convection: As the warm ocean water evaporates, it creates a moist and unstable atmosphere. The moisture-laden air rises rapidly due to convection, forming an area of low pressure at the surface.
Coriolis Effect: The rotation of the Earth causes the Coriolis effect, which deflects moving air to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. This effect is crucial for the development and rotation of typhoons.
Low-Pressure System: The rising warm air creates a region of low atmospheric pressure near the surface. Air from the surrounding areas with higher pressure flows towards this low-pressure region.
Formation of a Tropical Depression: If the low-pressure system becomes more organized and sustains itself for an extended period, it can develop into a tropical depression. The depression is characterized by a closed circulation of winds and maximum sustained winds of up to 61 km/h (38 mph).
Tropical Storm Formation: When the sustained winds in the tropical depression reach speeds between 61 km/h (38 mph) and 119 km/h (74 mph), it is classified as a tropical storm. At this stage, the storm is given a name.
Typhoon Formation: If the tropical storm continues to intensify and the sustained winds exceed 119 km/h (74 mph), it is then classified as a typhoon. The storm develops a distinct eye at the center, surrounded by a spiraling band of thunderstorms.
Typhoons are a mature tropical system. High-energy cosmic neutrinos are hitting on earth. Neutrinos are elementary particles like electrons but with no charge and almost no mass. They can pass through and remain unaffected by everything. The source of these super high-energy cosmic neutrinos that come from billions of light-years away is more of a mystery. They pass at incredible speeds through certain substances they can polarize, like water. Then, It can create typhoons with warm water.
Some particular ingredients or factors came together to make typhoons. They are given below.
Warm water: The typhoon’s first ingredient is warm water, typically needed at about 27 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer it gets, the more latent heat will go into the system, and the stronger it will be a tropical storm. So, in short, the water temperature is a pretty important aspect of these tropical systems.
Cyclone formation: Cyclonic circulation at the storm’s base is also needed. It’s pretty impossible to have a cyclonic storm without that low-level circulation. There are several ways to do this, a tropical wave forming around the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
Humidity: It is also another essential aspect. A lot of moisture in the atmosphere creates a tropical system. The atmosphere’s latent heat drops tremendous rain since it is a warm-core low end with moisture.
Coriolis force: The thumb rule of thought is usually 10 degrees north or higher to develop a tropical system.
Exhaust: These tropical systems are cyclonic at their base but antipsychotic in the upper atmosphere, which allows them to move away from the center of circulation. In the upper atmosphere, it will loosen up, pushing away from that center of circulation. So anti cyclonic force is needed for an upper-level ridge or high-pressure aloft.
Vertical wind shear: Storms in higher latitudes can spin up and become extra severe. But tropical systems are much like a chimney. A little wind shear or a cold front from the north allows the storms to break apart.
Typhoon Formation
Typhoons form like how ordinary ring bells form. They start by evaporating water molecules from the ocean because this moist air is warm. They travel upwards until they meet with cold air. At this point, they start to condense and form clouds, resulting in rain showers. The clouds dissipate and vanish after precipitation is completed. With a very active system, clouds can move together into large clusters of thunderstorms. These clusters of clouds are areas of low pressure in the atmosphere.
Combined with warm ocean waters, typically over 26 degrees Celsius, they joined two key ingredients in transforming ordinary clouds into deadly typhoons. The earth’s rotation causes the strengthening system to spin counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere.
Converging winds also have warm, moist air from the ocean of warranties and contribute to typhoon circulation. With an organized circulation, the low-pressure area becomes a tropical depression. At the tropical depression drift, it may encounter areas of the ocean where it is hot. It will further drive the increase of its circulation, transforming it into a typhoon.
When conditions are ideal, the system starts to rotate even faster, and the typhoon’s eye is now on a prayer center. When wind speeds top 25 knots, about 30 miles per hour, the center issues its First Alert. A super typhoon with sustained wind speeds above fifty miles an hour is as destructive as the most notorious killer hurricanes like Katrina.
Effects of Typhoon
Let’s analyze the effects of a typhoon, and I’ll walk you through what happens when one of these giant storms decides to visit.
- The Wind: Nature’s Ultimate Hair Dryer (But Not in a Good Way)
Typhoon winds are no joke. We’re talking winds that can reach 150 to 200 kilometers per hour (or even faster in some cases). Imagine sticking your head out of a car window on the highway and cranking up the speed—now imagine that everywhere around you.
The wind is strong enough to:
Tear off roofs like they’re paper plates.
Send trees flying (yep, entire trees).
Flip cars, knock down power lines, and even push small buildings.
It’s chaotic and noisy. Think of it like living inside a jet engine for several hours. And here’s a fun fact: while you’re inside, braving the storm, you might hear the wind whistle through the cracks in the walls or windows. It’s almost like the typhoon is trying to whisper, “I’m here!” (But trust me, you don’t want to listen.)
- Rain: When It’s Not Just Raining Cats and Dogs, But Entire Oceans
Now, we’ve all experienced heavy rain. But during a typhoon? The rain doesn’t fall—it pours, like someone opened the floodgates to the ocean and just let it loose over the land. In a typical typhoon, you could see hundreds of millimeters of rainfall in just a few hours. That’s the kind of rain that turns streets into rivers, backyards into ponds, and basements into swimming pools (the kind you really don’t want to dive into).
And the rain isn’t only a gentle soak—it’s often sideways, thanks to those strong winds. So, even if you’re standing under a roof, there’s no guarantee you’ll stay dry.
- Flooding: The Unwanted Guest That Sticks Around
All that rain? Well, it’s got to go somewhere. But when there’s too much, too fast, the ground, rivers, and drainage systems can’t keep up. That’s when you get flooding—and not the fun kind where you get to splash in puddles.
Floodwaters can:
Sweep away cars, debris, and even buildings if the water gets high enough.
Submerge homes, forcing people to evacuate to higher ground.
Contaminate drinking water and spread diseases because the floodwaters mix with sewage and other nasty stuff.
And let’s not forget, floodwaters don’t recede immediately. They can linger for days, even weeks, causing long-term damage and leaving behind a muddy, messy reminder of the storm.
- Storm Surges: The Tsunami’s Sneaky Cousin
If you’re near the coast, one of the scariest effects of a typhoon is the storm surge. Imagine the ocean itself being shoved inland by the power of the storm. The sea level rises dramatically, and suddenly the coastline is miles inland from where it used to be. It’s a slow-motion, watery invasion that can cause devastating flooding in coastal areas.
Storm surges can be deadly. They destroy buildings, sweep away anything in their path, and cause catastrophic damage. Coastal communities are often hit the hardest, and it’s not uncommon for people to be forced to evacuate long before the storm makes landfall because of the threat of these surges.
- Landslides: When the Ground Decides It’s Had Enough
Typhoons don’t just cause trouble with wind and water; they can also trigger landslides. When the heavy rain saturates the ground, particularly in hilly or mountainous areas, the soil can become unstable. Before you know it, entire hillsides can collapse, sending mud, rocks, and trees crashing down onto anything in their way—homes, roads, and unfortunately, sometimes people.
Landslides are unpredictable, and they can happen fast. One minute everything seems calm, and the next, the ground is sliding away beneath you.
- Power Outages: Welcome to the Dark Ages
When a typhoon hits, you can almost guarantee one thing: the lights are going out. Power lines get knocked down by wind, trees, or flooding, and suddenly, you’re left in the dark. No electricity means no air conditioning (during hot, humid storms), no phone charging, and no hot meals unless you’ve got a gas stove or some candles for ambiance.
And here’s the kicker—power outages can last for days, sometimes even weeks. So, stock up on batteries, flashlights, and patience, because you’re going to need them.
- Damage to Infrastructure: Roads and Bridges in Trouble
As if uprooted trees and flooded streets weren’t enough, typhoons can also seriously damage roads, bridges, and buildings. All that water weakens structures, and those powerful winds rip apart anything that’s not firmly secured.
In the aftermath, entire areas can be cut off, with roads washed out or blocked by debris. This makes it harder for rescue workers and aid to reach people in need, and it can take weeks or even months to repair all the damage.
- Economic Impact: The Price of a Typhoon
After the storm clears, the real cost of a typhoon becomes apparent. The damage to homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure can be in the billions of dollars. Crops are often destroyed, which can lead to food shortages and drive up prices. Businesses have to shut down, people lose their jobs, and the recovery process can take months or even years.
- Human Impact: Stories of Resilience
While all of the above effects sound daunting, it’s important to remember that typhoons also bring out the best in people. Communities come together, neighbors help each other out, and rescue teams work around the clock to save lives. It’s a tough time, but it’s also a time when you see incredible acts of kindness and bravery.
Difference between Hurricane and Typhoon
What’s the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? They’re both storms that get names. The super typhoon hitting Asia is named Heian or Yolanda. The main difference between a hurricane and a typhoon is where the storm occurs. According to NOAA, hurricanes form in the northern Atlantic, northeastern Pacific, and South Pacific.
Typhoons form in the northwestern Pacific. All storms begin as tropical storms. Each begins over warm oceans with high air, moisture, and wind levels. If the conditions persist, these spinning storms will grow and reach sustained internal wind speeds of 74 miles an hour. They can bring torrential rain, flooding, and other hallmarks of a big storm.
The location of the typhoon, cyclone, or hurricane determines the direction in which it spins. A typhoon doesn’t mean it will spin in a specific direction, like a hurricane. Storms can spin either way. All storms form in the northern hemisphere and spin counterclockwise. At the same time, those forming in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise.
However, super typhoons are real scientific things. It ranks on that side of the world, meaning a sustained surface wind of at least 150 miles an hour high. In the Atlantic, they typically appear from June to November. But the Pacific typhoon can happen anywhere from May to December. There may be as many as 30 in a year.
Typhoons hit the headlines when they affect countries like Japan and Southeast Asia. On the other hand, hurricanes hit the headlines when they wreaked their damage across the Caribbean and parts of the southeastern USA. Most begin life thousands of miles away in the Atlantic, close to northwest Africa.
Hurricanes draw their energy from warm seas and can only develop at 26 degrees Celsius. They can only develop into significant storms when the sea temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, like a warm bath. It requires two elements to form around developing wave patterns or thunderstorms, neither of which are found in high-pressure areas where descending air tends to stabilize the atmosphere.
Other limitations include wind patterns in the upper atmosphere and the force of the earth’s rotation, meaning that hurricanes can only develop around a narrow band between 8 and 20 degrees north of the Equator. That may seem like a tiny area, but it’s where the East Lee trade winds converge, and there’s a plentiful supply of moisture. So, it’s a prime location for developing thunderstorms and the birthplace of most hurricanes.
Safety precautions during and after Typhoon
What should you do during and after the typhoon? Here are tips to help you cope with any disturbance like a typhoon.
- Stock up on emergency supplies before a typhoon comes.
- Stock up on food, water, medicine, radios, and flashlights.
- Download valuable applications to your phone, such as the news app.
- Don’t forget to charge your phone and prepare additional power banks fully.
- Move electrical appliances to a safe place. Electrical appliances and leads should be moved indoors and kept away from windows.
- Ensure the equipment has not suffered any water damage before using it again.
- Turning off air conditioners exposed to strong winds can cause the motor of an air conditioner to run in the reverse direction. Switch off any air conditioners exposed to strong winds to prevent motor failure.
- Check lifts and carry out improvement works where needed.
- Typhoons can cause voltage dips, and elevators may be affected. Building managers should consider engaging contractors to inspect before typhoons and do any necessary improvement work.
- Evacuate high-risk areas and unplug electricity before leaving. People in areas at risk of flooding should consider a temporary evacuation. Remember to lock the doors and windows and turn off the main power switch to avoid electrical incidents.
- Stay calm during power outages. During a power outage, switch off all large appliances, report to the building management office, and wait patiently for engineers to do repairs. Leave one light on so you will know when power has been restored.
- Use flashlights for emergency lighting. Candles can cause fires, so use flashlights only for emergency lighting in a power outage event.
- Keep fridge doors closed. During a power outage, an unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for around 4 hours. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for about two days.
- Stay away from damaged equipment.
After a typhoon, emergency teams will work hard to restore power. Restoring electricity may take longer in areas with severe damage or access roads blocked by fallen trees or flooding. In these situations, stay calm and listen to news bulletins. Do not touch damaged electrical equipment; report power outages to power companies. Engineers will arrive as soon as logistically possible. Stay calm and stay safe in the coming typhoon season.
Last Words
We’ve navigated through the warm ocean waters, ascended into the towering clouds, and deciphered the atmospheric mysteries that converge to create a typhoon. This journey not only quenches our thirst for understanding but also highlights the importance of respecting and preparing for the immense power of these natural events.
We hope this adventure has illuminated the fascinating world of typhoons for you, sparking curiosity and respect for the dynamic planet we call home. Each storm tells a story of Earth’s complex climate systems, offering insights and warnings for us to heed. Until our next foray into the wonders of weather and beyond, stay curious, stay prepared, and keep exploring the endless mysteries of our world. Happy adventures, fellow explorers of the storm!
More Articles:
What Causes A Hurricane To Form With Survival Tips
How Does A Tsunami Occur In Tropical Area
What Causes A Tornado To Form In Tropical Area
How Does A Thunderstorm Form In The Sky
References:
Chris Landsea. “Subject: F1) What regions around the globe have tropical cyclones, and who is responsible for forecasting there?”. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres: D06108.
“What is the difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon?”. OCEAN FACTS. National Ocean Service.
Glossary of Meteorology. “Typhoon.” American Meteorological Society.
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