A powerful storm named Cyclone Tauktae has developed in the Southeast Arabian Sea and is moving toward Gujarat. Weather experts predict that it is likely to become a ‘very severe’ storm as it progresses. Residents in the affected areas should stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

About

• Brace yourselves, folks along the West Coast states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and the union territories like Lakshadweep! The Arabian Sea is bustling with activity, and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is predicting some heavy rainfall.
• This weather event, known as Cyclone Tauktae, is on the move. It’s currently heading north-northwest, but here’s the twist – there’s a chance it might decide to take a turn and head towards Kutch and South Pakistan.
• Cyclones really do have a mind of their own!Ever wonder how they come up with these names? Well, Tauktae got its name from a Burmese word suggested by Myanmar. It means “gecko,” you know, those lizards that make distinct noises. Strange, right? Nature has its way of keeping us on our toes!

Cyclones

• A cyclone is a weather phenomenon characterized by a low-pressure area with swirling winds.
• Cyclones are triggered by disturbances in the atmosphere around a low-pressure zone, leading to rapid and sometimes destructive air circulation.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the winds spiral inward in an anticlockwise direction, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they move in a clockwise direction.
• At the center of a cyclone is a calm area known as the eye of the storm, which varies in diameter from 10 to 30 km. This zone is clear of clouds and experiences light winds.
• The eye is a peaceful region surrounded by a cloud region approximately 150 km in size.
• The surrounding cloud region has high-speed winds ranging from 150 to 250 km/h, along with thick clouds and heavy rain.
• As you move away from this central region, the wind speed gradually decreases.
• Large cyclones are massive rotating air masses extending 10 to 15 km into the atmosphere.

• A cyclone is known by different names in different parts of the world as:

Formation of Cyclones

• Before a cyclone forms, water on the ocean’s surface absorbs heat from the air and turns into water vapor.
• When this vapor changes back into liquid during rain, it releases the stored heat into the atmosphere.
• The heat released warms the surrounding air, causing it to rise. As air goes up, it creates an area of low pressure.
• More air rushes in to fill this low-pressure zone, initiating a cycle of rising warm air and falling cool air.
• This repetitive process leads to the creation of a powerful low-pressure system with high-speed winds circulating around it.
• This entire weather phenomenon is what we know as a cyclone.
• Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and humidity play crucial roles in the development of cyclones.
• For tropical cyclones specifically, certain conditions are favorable:
  Warm sea surface with a temperature higher than 27°C.
• The Coriolis force, caused by the Earth’s rotation.
• Small differences in vertical wind speed.
• Presence of a weak low-pressure area.

Types of Cyclones

• Tropical Cyclones: These are storms that form in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. They develop over warm tropical or subtropical waters, organized by surface wind circulation.
• Extratropical Cyclones (Temperate Cyclones): These occur in temperate zones and high latitudes. Unlike tropical cyclones, they bring rapid changes in temperature and dew point along weather fronts.

Stages of Tropical Cyclone Development:

The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:

Formation and Initial Development

• Requires warm sea (above 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60m) and turbulent water vapor transfer from the ocean surface.
• Atmospheric instability leads to the formation of massive cumulus clouds through convection.

Mature Tropical Cyclones:

• As the storm strengthens, air rises in vigorous thunderstorms, spreading horizontally at the tropopause level.
• Positive perturbation pressure at high levels causes downward air motion, generating a warm ‘Eye’ with circular, concentric, or elliptical shapes.
• Concentric pattern of turbulent giant cumulus thundercloud bands in the Indian Ocean.

Modification and Decay:

• Begins as the cyclone loses its source of warm moist air, either after landfall or passing over cold waters.
• Central low pressure, internal warmth, and high speeds decline.

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