Assignment 3: Tropical Revolving
Storms
1. Local names, seasons and areas affected by TRS
Basin Local Name Main Season(s) Primary Areas
Affected
North Atlantic Hurricane Jun–Nov (peak Aug– Caribbean, Gulf of
Oct) Mexico, U.S. East
Coast
Eastern Pacific Hurricane May–Nov (peak Jul– Mexico, Central
Sep) America,
occasionally Hawaii
Western Pacific Typhoon Year-round (peak Philippines, China,
Jul–Oct) Japan, Taiwan,
Vietnam
North Indian Cyclone Apr–Jun & Oct–Dec Bay of Bengal,
Arabian Sea
South-West Indian Cyclone Nov–Apr Madagascar,
Mozambique, South
Africa coast
Australian Cyclone Nov–Apr Northern Australia
South Pacific Cyclone Nov–Apr Fiji, Vanuatu, New
Caledonia, Tonga
2. Origin, structure, movement and lifespan of TRS; weather associated
Origin:
- Develop from pre-existing disturbances; require SST ≥ 26.5°C, low wind shear, high
humidity, sufficient Coriolis force.
Structure:
- Eye: central calm area
- Eyewall: ring of intense thunderstorms
- Rainbands: spiral convective bands
Movement:
- Steered by mid-tropospheric winds; typically westward then poleward recurvature.
Lifespan:
- Typically 5–14 days from genesis to dissipation.
Associated Weather:
- Extreme rainfall (200–500 mm/24h), gale to hurricane-force winds, storm surge, flooding.
3. Warning signs of an approaching TRS; characteristics; forecasting
techniques
Warning Signs:
- Rapid pressure drop, strengthening winds, sea rise, increased squalls, wind shift.
Characteristics:
- Symmetrical cloud pattern, spiral rainbands, warm core aloft.
Forecasting Techniques:
1. Numerical Weather Prediction (ECMWF, GFS, HWRF)
2. Statistical–Dynamical Models (CLIPER, SHIPS)
3. Ensemble Forecasting
4. Satellite Remote Sensing (Dvorak)
5. Reconnaissance Aircraft (Hurricane Hunters)
4. Actions to be taken when TRS presence is confirmed
1. Secure loose equipment, batten down hatches.
2. Alter course to avoid dangerous quadrants.
3. Maintain steerage speed.
4. Test emergency equipment.
5. Brief crew, ensure lifejackets and survival craft readiness.
6. Log meteorological observations regularly.
5. Cyclone tracking and warning bulletins under international conventions
- WMO RSMCs (e.g., RSMC New Delhi, Tokyo) issue official advisories.
- National Meteorological Services provide marine warnings.
- GMDSS Navarea bulletins broadcast positions, intensity, forecasts.
- Formats: SIGMET, NAVAREA, GSM advisories.
6. Practical rules for navigation in the vicinity of TRS
- Avoid right-front quadrant (Northern Hemisphere) or left-front (Southern).
- Use 1-2-3 rule: plot 24-, 48-, 72-hour forecast positions with error circles plus safety
margin.
- Apply sector theory by adjusting passage distances by octant.
- Steer to maintain favorable isobaric gradient.
7. Comparison between a TRS and a temperate latitude depression
Feature Tropical Revolving Storm Temperate Latitude
Depression
Energy Source Latent heat from convection Baroclinic instability
Core Structure Warm core through Cold core aloft
troposphere
Size 100–1,000 km diameter 1,000–3,000 km diameter
Wind Field Compact, peak near eyewall Broad wind field
Cloud Pattern Symmetric spiral bands Asymmetric frontal bands
Seasonality Warm seasons in tropics Year-round mid-latitudes
Hazards Storm surge, extreme Widespread rain/snow,
winds, torrential rain strong gusts
