Cyclones, which are storms that rotate around a central low-pressure area, occur when high-pressure cold air fronts slide on top of low-pressure warm air fronts. The ocean temperature must be at least higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ocean must also be at least 150 feet deep. When the warm air rises, cold air on all sides drops, and spinning occurs due to the Coriolis effect. These are circular shaped rotating storms which have huge diameters ranging from 150 to 1000 kilometres.Due to this high speed rotation, an intense low pressure is formed at the centre; this is called the “Eye of the storm”.Cyclones of high intensity are caused mostly in tropical areas. Hurricanes, for example, are the names given to tropical cyclones in the United States and the Antilles. Since Cyclones occur in all types of different areas, cyclones mostly happen in ocean. Because Tropical Cyclones form over tropical or subtropical waters and feed on the heat that is released when moist air rises. What is a Tropical Cyclone. Cyclones are characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate about a zone of low pressure. Cyclones are called hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, typhoons in Southeast Asia, and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific around Australia. In Australia, cyclones usually occur off the northwest coast of Western Australia, in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Coral Sea, just off the coastline of Queensland. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. When a hurricane makes landfall (comes ashore), the storm surge causes extensive flooding. The different names have to do with where the storms form. The Coriolis effect is less prominent along the equator, so tropical cyclones usually do not develop within five degrees north or south of the equator. Explain why hurricanes mainly occur in the tropics. Cyclones form in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, which is the ocean that borders Northeast Australia. Where And When Do Tropical Cyclones Happen? Cyclone Yasi is a big one, with predicted wind speeds of over 295km/h, a core region 500km in diameter, and a zone of associated storm activity spread over 2000km. Cyclones are one of nature’s responses when there is a meeting between hot and cold air currents. Start studying Tropical cyclones. While in Asia they are called typhoons. Where Do Tropical Cyclones Form? Tropical cyclones also occur in various parts of the Pacific Ocean, and can affect coastal regions of Mexico, southeast Asia, northeast Australia and the south Pacific islands. By the way, cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are the same thing: depending on where they are born, they are called by one name or another. Tropical cyclones generally form in any ocean where water temperatures are greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the upper-level winds are benign. Most occur between December and April. Cyclones also need to be at least 310 miles from the equator. 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