“Riding the Storm: Understanding Cyclone Formation and Naming convention”

Cyclones are powerful storms that can cause significant damage and loss of life. In the Indian Ocean, cyclones are a recurring phenomenon that poses a significant threat to the coastal areas. Understanding the science behind their formation is crucial for managing their impact and protecting lives and property. In this article, we will explore the conditions necessary for the formation and growth of cyclones and the naming convention used in the Indian Ocean.

Conditions for Cyclone Formation:

Low Pressure System:

Cyclones form when there is a low-pressure system in the atmosphere. The low-pressure system allows warm air to rise, which leads to the formation of clouds and thunderstorms. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, releasing heat that fuels the cyclone and causes it to grow in size and intensity.

Warm Ocean Water:

Warm ocean water is necessary for the formation and growth of cyclones. The ideal sea temperature for cyclone formation is around 26.5°C or above. Warm ocean water provides the energy needed for the cyclone to grow.

High Humidity:

High humidity is necessary for the formation of clouds and thunderstorms. The warm, moist air rising from the ocean surface cools and condenses to form clouds and thunderstorms.

Wind Shear:

Wind shear is the difference in wind speed and direction over a short distance in the atmosphere. In the context of cyclones, wind shear refers to the difference in wind direction and speed between the lower and upper parts of the atmosphere. A low wind shear is ideal for the formation and growth of a cyclone, as it allows the storm to develop a well-defined circulation pattern.

Collision of Warm and Cold Wind:

In the Indian Ocean, cyclones are formed due to the collision of warm winds from the North East Trade Wind and South East Trade Wind. This collision causes a low-pressure system to form, leading to the formation of cyclones.

Comparative Study of Cyclones in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal experience tropical cyclones, but the Bay of Bengal experiences a more significant number of cyclones. The Bay of Bengal is known for the high frequency of cyclones, which can be attributed to the favourable conditions for their formation. The Arabian Sea, on the other hand, has a lower frequency of cyclones, mainly because the conditions for their formation are not as favourable as in the Bay of Bengal.

Naming Convention:

The naming of cyclones in the Indian Ocean is done by countries shown in the table.

Upcoming Cyclone in India 2023

Classification of Cyclones:

Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are classified based on their intensity using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale ranges from Category 1 to Category 5, with Category 5 being the most severe. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are typically classified as follows:

Category 1: Winds between 119 km/h and 153 km/h

Category 2: Winds between 154 km/h and 177 km/h

Category 3: Winds between 178 km/h and 209 km/h

Category 4: Winds between 210 km/h and 249 km/h

Category 5: Winds above 250 km/h

Cyclone Moche: The Battle of Predictions

A low-pressure system is brewing over the Bay of Bengal, and weather agencies are predicting whether it will develop into a cyclone or not. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the system will turn into a cyclone and be named Moche, as designated by Yemen, after the 8th of May. However, Skymet is sceptical, suggesting that there is little chance of a cyclone occurring in the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, windy.com predicts that the low-pressure system will develop into a tropical cyclone on 10^th of May and make landfall in Myanmar eventually. The battle of predictions has begun, and we can only wait and see which one will come true.

While the path of the potential cyclone is not yet well-defined, its formation has the potential to cause significant damage to life and property.