How/Why does Cyclones Form?
The two main factors that create any tropical cyclone is a warm body of water, at least 27 degrees Celsius and a gathering of cumulonimbus clouds (Australian Geographic, 2013). The warm, typically tropical ocean, evaporates and forms cloud while releasing heat energy. The continuous release of heat throughout the evaporation process combined with the Earth's rotation creates the spinning effect found in cyclones (Australian Geographic, 2013).
Satellite image of Cyclone Yasi and Australia (Australian Geographic, 2013)
The most dangerous part of any cyclone is the dense wall of cloud surrounding the eye, a cyclones's low pressure centre. Within the eye, the conditions are deceptively calm while the strongest winds and greatest rainfall are found in the cloud surrounding the eye (Australian Geographic, 2013).
The eye of any cyclone is on average around 40km in diameter. Cyclone Yasi's eye however, measured to approximately 100km in diameter (Australian Geographic, 2013). The eye is usually clam and cloud free with the warmest temperatures measured throughout the cyclone (National Weather Service, 2009).
The eye of any cyclone is on average around 40km in diameter. Cyclone Yasi's eye however, measured to approximately 100km in diameter (Australian Geographic, 2013). The eye is usually clam and cloud free with the warmest temperatures measured throughout the cyclone (National Weather Service, 2009).
Cyclone Categories
Tropical cyclones are classified by continuous wind speed of more then 63km/h. Once winds reach a speed of 118km/h, the cyclone is labelled severe.
Tropical cyclones are classified by continuous wind speed of more then 63km/h. Once winds reach a speed of 118km/h, the cyclone is labelled severe.
Cyclone Yasi occured simply because all the weather factors to make a cyclone were right; warm, tropical seas and cumulonimbus clouds. Cyclone Yasi's system was so big because of its prolonged journey across tropical seas. As Cyclone Yasi travelled from North Vanuatu to the Queensland coast, the only landmass in Cyclone Yasi's path was New Caledonia, which hardly weakened or did not affect Cyclone Yasi's intensity. Therefore Cyclone Yasi travelled approximately 2396km across tropical oceans, growing and intensifying the whole time (Katec1, 2013).