Storm. A magnificent word that we want to hear at the end of each summer, especially if rainfall has been scarce. Storms bring the long-awaited rain, but they can also take away hours of daylight by bringing cloudy skies. However, if the adequate conditions, can develop into potentially destructive meteorological phenomena, such as extratropical cyclones, whose winds can blow at over 119 km/h. Below, we will discover how storms form and some important aspects related to them.
How are storms formed?
Depressions, also known as low pressure zones or cyclones, form primarily in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where a cold front meets a warm front. When this happens, The air mass heats up, begins to spin, and eventually becomes trapped inside itThis trapped warm air is called a depression, which rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
They are associated with strong winds y atmospheric elevation, which causes the formation of clouds. The process of storm formation can be described in several stages:
- Zone of friction between air masses: Low pressure areas typically develop where air masses with different thermal characteristics interact. Warm air is less dense and tends to rise above cold air.
- Condensation and cloud formation: As warm air rises, it cools and the water vapor it contains condenses, forming clouds. This process releases latent heat, which intensifies the rise of more air, accelerating the dynamics of the storm.
- Wind and cyclone spiral: As the pressure at the center of the storm decreases, the surrounding air is drawn into that low pressure area. Due to the Coriolis effect, the air does not flow directly towards the center, but begins to rotate in a spiral.
- Full development: If conditions are favorable, the storm intensifies, generating strong winds, heavy rainfall and, in some cases, thunderstorms.
Types of storms
There are several types of storms depending on their formation and characteristics:
- Tropical cyclone: Known as tropical storms, hurricanes, and typhoons, they are cyclones that form in tropical oceans. They usually have a strong area of low pressure at the surface and high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere, producing gusty winds. 120 km/h or more.
- Extratropical cyclone: It forms at latitudes above 30º and is composed of two or more air masses. This type of depression is usually associated with frontal systems that influence the climate of regions such as Europe. For more information, you can consult information on the Barra storm, which is a recent example.
- Subtropical cyclone: They form in latitudes close to the equator and are less intense than tropical cyclones, although they can generate severe weather.
- Polar cycloneThis cyclone develops rapidly over approximately 24 hours. It can reach several hundred kilometers in diameter, and although its winds are less intense than those of hurricanes, they can be very destructive.
- Mesocyclone: It is an air vortex approximately 2 to 10 km in diameter that forms within thunderstorms known as supercells. When the cloud precipitates, the rotation speed in the lower layers increases, forming a funnel cloud that can give rise to a tornado. An example of these phenomena in Spain can be learned in relation to the tornadoes in Spain.
Characteristics of storms
Depressions have a number of distinctive characteristics that differentiate them from other meteorological phenomena:
- Atmospheric pressure: Depressions are associated with low atmospheric pressure, generally lower than 1013 hPa.
- Unstable conditionsThe weather associated with storms is usually unstable, with the presence of clouds, rain, storms and, sometimes, snow.
- Cyclonic circulationIn the Northern Hemisphere, the wind rotates counterclockwise around the center of the storm, while in the Southern Hemisphere it rotates clockwise.
- Displacement:Storms generally move from west to east and can affect large geographic areas, generating sudden changes in the weather.
Importance of studying storms
The study of storms is crucial for weather forecasting and preparing for extreme weather events. Understanding how they form and develop allows us to:
- Weather forecastMeteorologists use forecasting models to anticipate storm formation and impacts, helping communities prepare for potential disasters.
- Emergency managementInformation about storms allows emergency services to better coordinate their efforts and respond quickly to the needs of the population. For some examples of how these situations have been managed, see the article on rains and floods in Greece.
- Climate researchUnderstanding storms also contributes to the study of climate change and its influence on the behavior of weather systems. For example, information can be found on how storm names are chosen.
Meteorological phenomena such as storms influence our daily lives, and therefore, it is essential to be informed about them. Knowing how they form, their types, and their characteristics allows us to anticipate their effects and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.
Understanding storm behavior allows us to make more informed decisions, whether planning outdoor activities, traveling, or simply managing our daily lives. Thus, meteorology becomes an ally in improving our quality of life.
The importance of storms in the water cycle is also worth mentioning, since they are responsible for providing the humidity necessary for ecosystems and are a key factor in climate regulation. However, it is essential to continue researching and monitoring their behavior in order to mitigate their adverse effects on society. Furthermore, it is useful to understand the differences between depressions and anticyclones, which are detailed in the difference between an anticyclone and a depression.
For meteorology enthusiasts, storms are an inexhaustible subject of study. From their formation to their influence on the global climate, every aspect reveals the intricate workings of the atmosphere and its impact on our world.
Hello, I read that "This hot air that is trapped is called a storm, which rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, or counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere."
If I don't get it wrong, anticyclones in the Northern Hemisphere rotate clockwise.
Sure there is something that escapes me, but I am far from understanding on this subject.