Why In NEWS?
Cyclone Asna, which formed over the Kutch coast in Gujarat, moved towards Oman without causing a significant impact in the region.
Cyclone Asna has developed over the Arabian Sea. This is the second of the kind formed over the Arabian Sea since 1964. It has been named by Pakistan.
About Cyclone ASNA
Unlike typical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters, Asna originated as a deep depression over land in Gujrat and poised to intensify into a tropical cyclone over the Arabian Sea.
According to IMD, only on three occasions (1976, 1964, and 1944), cyclones originated over mainland India in August and gathered strength as they entered the Arabian Sea.
Reasons for this Formation :
Unusual monsoon wind system, moisture from the Arabian Sea and soil moisture from the lands, warming of the Indian Ocean could be some of the possible reasons.
What are Cyclones?
Cyclones are large-scale air masses that rotate around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. They are characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cyclones can be classified into different types based on their formation and characteristics:
Tropical Cyclones: These are intense circular storms that originate over warm ocean waters near the equator. They are known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Tropical cyclones are associated with strong winds, heavy rain, and can lead to severe weather conditions including flooding, storm surges, and landslides.
Extratropical Cyclones: These are large-scale weather systems that form outside the tropics, typically between 30° and 60° latitude. They are driven by temperature differences (fronts) between warm and cold air masses. Extratropical cyclones are common in mid-latitude regions and can bring a variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, and thunderstorms.
Mesocyclones: These are smaller, rotating air masses within a thunderstorm. They can sometimes lead to the formation of tornadoes. Mesocyclones are typically associated with severe weather conditions such as hail, strong winds, and tornadoes.
Cyclones play a significant role in the Earth’s weather systems and can have a major impact on human activities, especially in coastal regions where they often cause widespread damage.
Formation Of Cyclones:
Cyclones are formed depending on their location, through a series of processes involving the atmosphere and ocean.
Warm Ocean Water: Cyclones typically form over warm ocean waters, usually with temperatures of at least 26.5°C (about 80°F). The warmth of the water provides the energy needed to fuel the storm.
Moisture and Humidity: The warm water causes the air above it to heat up and rise. As the air rises, it cools and the moisture it contains condenses into clouds, releasing heat in the process. This heat further warms the surrounding air, causing it to rise and create a low-pressure area near the surface.
Low-Pressure Area: As the warm, moist air continues to rise, it creates an area of lower pressure beneath it. Air from surrounding areas, where the pressure is higher, rushes in to fill the gap. This incoming air also heats up, rises, and adds to the process.
Coriolis Effect: Due to the Earth’s rotation, the incoming air doesn’t flow directly towards the low-pressure center. Instead, it curves, causing the storm system to rotate. In the Northern Hemisphere, this rotation is counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s clockwise.
Development of the Cyclone: As the process continues, the system begins to spin faster and faster. If conditions are right, it can develop into a well-organized cyclone with a clearly defined eye at its center, where the weather is calm and clear.
Strengthening: The cyclone strengthens as long as it stays over warm water and there are no significant wind shear forces (differences in wind speed or direction at different altitudes) to disrupt its structure.
Landfall or Dissipation: When the cyclone moves over land or cooler water, it loses the warm water that fuels it. The storm weakens and eventually dissipates, though it can still cause significant damage with strong winds and heavy rain.
Cyclones are powerful natural phenomena that can cause widespread destruction, especially when they make landfall. Understanding their formation helps in predicting their paths and potential impact, allowing for better preparedness.
How are Cyclones Named?
-The names are maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization.
Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region are named by the regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
-Each country contributes names to a list used on a rotating basis.
-The primary reason for naming cyclones is to make communication easier and more efficient.
-Names help in distinguishing between multiple storms occurring at the same time and make warnings more understandable for the public.