Unit 2 – Tropical Revolving Systems(TRS)

• Tropical Revolving Storms: Local names, seasons and

areas affected; Origin, structure, movement and lifespan
of TRS; Weather associated with TRS; Definitions and
nomenclature; Warning signs of an approaching TRS;
Characteristics of TRS; Forecasting techniques Past and
present; Action to be taken when the presence of TRS is
confirmed; Cyclone tracking and warning bulletins
under international conventions; Practical Rules for
navigation for maneuvering in the vicinity of TRS;
Avoidance of storm centers and the dangerous
quadrants; Ideal conditions for the formation of TRS;
Comparison between a TRS and a temperate latitude
depression; Avoiding TRS – 1-2- 3 theory and sector
theory.
•
TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS(TRS)
TROPICAL CYCLONES
 Tropical Revolving Storm(TRS)
• A tropical revolving storm is a rapidly-rotating storm
characterized by low pressure centre, strong winds
and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms.
• TRS forms over large bodies of warm water and
they develop the energy from the ocean surface.
• These tropical cyclones take birth in the warm
oceanic region and move towards the continents.
• TRS tends to move in counter-clockwise in Northern
hemisphere and clockwise in Southern hemisphere
 Great Danger to Shipping

• TRSs in the Atlantic and Pacific are generally

more violent than in the Arabian sea and the
Bay of Bengal(Wind sp reach 100 Kts).
• Nevertheless, TRS are a great danger, to shipping
regardless of where they are encountered and
require a special study.
• Whenever a vessel is in an area where TRSs are
likely to be encountered, careful watch should be
kept for the warning signs of an approaching TRS
and take early evasive action.
TROPICAL CYCLONE
DEFINED!
A warm core, non-
frontal, synoptic scale
system with cyclonically
rotating winds Anti
Clockwise in NH &
Clockwise in SH,
characterized by a rapid
decrease in pressure and
increase in winds toward
the center of the storm.
Cyclones develop over
tropical or subtropical
waters and have a
definite organized
circulation.
Different Names – Different Areas
• Tropical Revolving Storms: Tropical revolving
storms are severe low pressure systems of
tropical areas. They can be viewed as an intense
vortex or whirl in the atmosphere. They are called
by different names in different areas.
• Hurricane in Atlantic Ocean
• Typhoons in Pacific Ocean
• Willy Willy in Australian region
• Cyclonic storms in Indian region
• Baguio in Philippines and
• Taifu in Japan
• These tropical cyclones take birth in the warm
oceanic region and move towards the continents.
Very high wind speeds are seen in association
with these low pressure systems. There are
different stages of these TRS which are given
below based on the wind speed.
 Different Names(Local Names) in Different Areas

• Tropical revolving storms are severe low pressure

systems of tropical areas. They can be viewed as an
intense vortex or whirl in the atmosphere.
(i) Hurricane in North Atlantic (Western Side)- Jun to Nov

(ii)Typhoons or Baguios in North Pacific(Western

Side)- All the year round. Worst period From June to
November (iii)Hurricane or Cordonazo in North
Pacific(Eastern Side)-June to November
(iv)South Pacific(Western Side) Hurricane - Dec to Apr
 Different Names in Different Areas
(v) South Indian Ocean (Eastern Side) Willy Willy in
(Australian region also) – December to April
(vi) South Indian Ocean(Western side) Cyclone - Dec - April
(vii) Cyclone in Indian region – Arabian sea – During change
of monsoon : Mid Apr
• Mid June, October & November . Worst months are
May, October & November.
• Bay of Bengal – May to Dec. Worst months are May,
Oct, Nov and December.
(viii) Baguio in Philippines and (ix) Taifu in Japan

These tropical cyclones take birth in warm oceanic region &

move to-
wards the continents. Very high wind speeds seen in low
pressurea area
Tropical revolving storms occur all around
the world, but are called different names.
 TROPICAL CYCLONE
FORMATION,
LOCATION
 The map below shows where the seven basins noted for TC
development are located and typical tracks for each. It also has the
average number of tropical storms, and hurricanes, created in each
basin.
 Hurricanes Around the Globe
• Atlantic and eastern Pacific tropical cyclones are known
as hurricanes, while over the western Pacific they are referred to as
typhoons
• Over the Indian Ocean and Australia they are known as cyclones
• The eastern North Pacific has the highest frequency of
tropical cyclones for the globe with an annual average of 16
• The South Atlantic produces none as the basin is too
small to initiate cyclogenesis

Tropical cyclone
genesis areas and
related storm tracks
Different Stages of TRS Based on wind Sp.
 How are they measured?
Although developed in the USA, the Saffir-Simpson scale
is used to grade tropical storm wind strength in many parts
of the world.
Category Wind Speed Wind Speed Storm
km/hr Mph Surge m
Tropical storm 0-62 0
Tropical 63-117 0-0.9
depression
1 119-153 74-95 1.2-1.5
2 154-177 96-110 1.8-2.4
3 178-209 111-130 2.7-3.7
4 210-249 131-155 4.0-5.5
5 >250 >155 <5.5
 HURRICANE CATEGORIES
Category 1 (Minimal) - Winds 64 to 82 knots, storm surge 4 to
5 ft above normal. No real damage to building Structures.
Low lying coastal areas flooded, minor damage to piers.
Examples Irene 1999 and Allison 1995
Category 2 (Moderate) - Winds 83 to 95 knots, storm surge 6 to 8
ft above normal. Minor damage to structures, poorly constructed
buildings major damage. Coastal and low lying escape routes
flooded over, considerable pier damage. Examples: Bonnie 1998,
Georges (FL & LA) 1998 and Gloria 1985
Category 3 (Extensive) - Winds 96 to 112 knots, storm surge 9 to 12
ft above normal. Major damage to structures, poorly
constructed building destroyed. Serious flooding along the
coast, extensive flooding may extend inland 8 miles. Examples:
Keith 2000, Fran 1996, Opal 1995, Alicia 1983 and Betsy 1965
Category 4 (Extreme) Winds 113 to 136 knots, stormsurge 13
to 18 ft above normal Extensive roofing and
windowdamage, complete destruction of mobile homes.
Areas above 10 ftflooded inland up to 6 m, major erosion
of beaches, massiveevacuation of coastal areas.

Category 5 (Catastrophic)Winds above 137 knots, storm

surge greater than 18ft above normal. Complete failure of
roof structures and very severe window and door damage,
some completebuildings fail. Major damage tostructures
lower than 15 ft abovesea level, massive evacuations of
residential units within 10 miles ofthe coast .
 What drives a Tropical Storm?
Cold polar air
moves towards Hot tropical air
the warm moves towards
equator. the cold poles.

The planet is not evenly heated.

At A the heating is more direct =
intense.
Whereas at B it is spread over a
larger surface area = less intense.
 What causes wind?
• This uneven heating causes air to move
around the planet, trying to even out the
temperature.
Air moving around the planet causes our
wind, which generally follows a known
pattern.
Tropical storms
form between
5ºand 20º North
& South of the equator.
They need warm
water ~ above
27ºc – hence
their location.
As the Earth rotates, this provides the ‘spin’
needed to start the tropical storm on its journey
across the Atlantic towards America.
 Favourable/Ideal conditions for the formation of TRS
1. Sea surface temperature must be 27 C or more. Such
o

a high temperature is needed to produce steep lapse

rate in troposphere to maintain vertical circulation.
2. Fair amount of Coriolis force (Latitude more than 5
Deg North/South): The circulation has to be sustained
and hence the formation can take place where Coriolis
force is available. Hence no Cyclogenesis occurs close
to the equator. That is, within a belt of 5 deg latitude of
both sides of equator no cyclone forms. The maximum
cyclonic development takes place around lat 15 . About
0

65% of TRS of the world develop between lat 10 to 20 . 0

3. Low pressure area surrounded by areas of High

Pressure: Cyclones develop from a pre-existing trough
or diffused low-pressure areas associated with shear
lines. This makes the cyclones to have preferred period
and regions of formations in the oceans. The periods are
linked with the oscillations of Inter tropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ) and they form on Doldrums on the sea area.
 Conditions Contd……
4.Convection current(daytime over large islands):
Ensure that air rises continuously so that adiabatic
cooling results in condensation that liberates
latent heat, which provides energy for the TRS.)
5. Weak prevailing winds(During change of
season)-If the prevailing winds are strong, the
air would not rise vertically. It would be carried
off horizontally, thereby not allowing a TRS to
form. It exists during day time over large
tropical islands, in mid ocean, between lat 5 &
20 Deg, during change of monsoon in Indian
waters, mid Apr – mid June & from Oct to Dec.
6. High humidity is required which is available in
maritime atmosphere. TRS form with warm moist air
below and steep lapse rate aloft. They form on the
western side of the ocean in summer or autumn.
Here is a check list
of what is needed
for a tropical
revolving storm
to grow.
Once the storm
has developed
it can grow 400
miles wide.
A storm can travel anywhere from 15 to 40mph
 How do they develop?
Favorable environmental conditions that must
be in place before a tropical cyclone can form:

– Warm ocean waters (at least 80°F / 27°C).

– An atmosphere which cools fast with

height (potentially unstable).

– Moist air near the mid-level of the

troposphere (16,000 ft / 4,900 m).

– Generally a minimum distance of at

least 300
miles (480 km) from the equator.

– A pre-existing near-surface disturbance.

– Little vertical wind shear between

the surface and
the upper troposphere. (Vertical wind
shear is the change in wind speed with
height.)

– Outflow aloft/exhaust
 Common Areas for TRS
o
1. North Atlantic It extends upto lat 30 N in the Atlantic
Ocean. About 8 TRS occur in a year. Their subdivisions
are a.Gulf of Mexico- from June to October (coastal areas
of Mexico and USA).
b.West Indies- Its TRS are very violent. Florida coast is
worst affected during the period June to October.
c.Carribean - The northern part is affected by TRS
during June to October while the southern part affected
during May to November.
d. Island of Cape de verde - TRS affect the island during
August to September (close to Africa).

2.North Pacific : This is situated close to Mexico and

Central America. 7-8 TRS affect every year during June
to November.
3. China Sea [North West Pacific Ocean] : This includes
the coasts of Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and South
China. About 22 Typhoons occur every year during
May to December. This is where the frequency of TRS
is maximum in the world.
4.Australian Sea : It extends from east coast of
Australia to Society island, Christian island Hawaiian
island. During April to December, TRS affect this area.
5.North Indian Ocean : These are cyclonic storm
affecting India from Bay of Bengal (5 to 6) or Arabian
sea (1 or 2) during April to December.
6.South Indian Ocean : It Includes Madagascar,
Reunion and Mauritius. The frequency of TRS is 1 to 2
in a year from Nov - April. In South Atlantic Ocean, the
TRS do not form because the area of their origin, which
is doldrums, is always north of the Equator (Over
Northern Africa) with respect to South Atlantic Ocean.
 Origin, Movement of TRS
• TRS originate in latitudes between 5 & 20 Deg and
travel between W and WNW in NH and between W and
WSW in SH, at a sp. of about 12 knots. Somewhere along
their track, they curve away from the Equator–curve to N
and then recurve to NE in NH; curve to S and then
recurve to SE in SH.
• The recurving is such that the storm travels around the
oceanic high (which is situated at about 30 deg N.& 30 deg S
in the middle of large oceans). After recurving, the speed Of
travel increases to about 15-20 Kts. Sometimes, a TRS does
not curve or recurve at all, but continues on its original path,
crosses the coast and dissipates quickly thereafter due to
friction and lack of moisture.
• All TRSs do not follow such definite paths and speeds.
In their initial stages, occasional storms have remained
practi- cally stationary or made small loops for as long
as 4 days. The life span of TRS anything from 1-19 days
Average 6 days.
 Life Cycle of TRS
• Life period of a TRS is 4 to 7 days. The four
stages are formation stage, Immature stage,
matured stage and the decaying stage. The
winds around a low pressure may persist for
several days and then strengthen. Clouds begin
to show a formation. Afterwards the growth
stage starts. Pressure beings to fall rapidly and
near circular pattern of winds and Isobars at
the center take place. Wind speed starts
increasing enormously and a central eye region
forms. In the matured stage the pressure fall at
center and increase of
 Life Cycle of TRS Contd….
wind speed is arrested but the system starts
expanding horizontally. A TRS can be 200 to
500 kms in horizontal extent and vertically, it
can be upto 5 to 10 kms tall with strong
expanding horizontally. A TRS can be 200 to
500 kms in horizontal extent and vertically, it
can upto 5 to 10 kms tall with strong
convective clouds. After crossing coast the
wind speed decreases and the cloud
organization gradually dissipates. The life
cycle consists of 4 stages.
Life Cycle of TRS
 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
(Formative Stage)

Winds < 34 kts

Tropical wave develops a

weak cyclonic circulation

Identified by thickening
clusters of thunderstorms
on satellite

Central pressure falls

rapidly below 1002mb if
system intensifies
 Life Cycle of TRS
• 3. Matured stage : At this stage, the pressure fall and
increase in wind speed are stopped. The circulation expands
outwards and an asymmetry sets in with high wind speed
extending more to the right side of the system, which
constitutes an area of Dangerous semicircle.
• 4. Dissipating stage : When a TRS enters the land it start
decaying due to the:
• i) Moisture source being cut off the energy of the system
begins to weaken.
• ii)Due to the roughness of the land, the frictional drag
retards the wind speed. The system also decays when it
moves over a cold ocean surface where the sea surface
temperature is less than 26 C. This happens when TRS
o

moves northwards to higher latitudes

 TROPICAL STORM
(Immature to Mature Stage)

Winds 34 - 63 kts

Closed formation expands with

spiral
bands becoming better organized

Increasing sea state makes

navigation near the center
increasingly
difficult and dangerous
 HURRICANE / TYPHOON / WILLY-WILLY
(Mature Stage)

Winds > 63 kts

DANGEROUSLY HIGH
SEAS navigation severely impaired

Radius of strong winds may

exceed 350 NM

Gale Force Winds extend out

further in right front quadrant
(typically 120 NM)
 Structure of TRS
• Both horizontal and vertical wise, the inner most
portion of the matured cyclone is called ‘eye’. It has a
diameter of 10 to 30 km. This area is calm with little cloud
and low rain, as the centrifugal force keeps the cloud
mass away. The temp. inside the eye may be about 5oC
higher than the surrounding. If outside the storm
temperature is 26oC, at the eye it can become about 30oC.
Next region is the ‘eye wall’ or ‘inner ring’ area. This is 30-
50 km wide. This area has maximum wind speed. Here the
wind speed can reach up to 100kts or even more. Terrible
thunder, continuous lightning, heavy continuous pouring
rain from thick dark Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus
clouds, violent winds and squally weather with gales, tidal
waves, storm surges are common
 Structure of TRS Contd…..
• Next is the ‘outer ring’ area. This is from
50-200 km. In this area, the strength of wind
speed decreases rapidly and pressure rises
fast and the intensity of rainfall keeps on
decreasing.
• The eye and eye wall regions
together constitute the core of the
cyclone. That is upto 50 KM
 Vertical Structure of 3 Layers
1. Inflow layer : It is from the ground to 3km
where there will be mass convergence of the
air. The air motion is in a spiral band and at
the center maximum spin or vorticity is
seen. In the eye region some sinking motion
of air can be seen.
2. Mid tropospheric layer : From 3 to 8 km, large
scale vertical motion of the atmosphere will be
experienced. There is no radial motion of the
wind into the system in mid tropospheric layer.
3. Outer flow layer : It is encountered above
12km, where there is mass divergence of the
atmospheric air. Beyond 300km, the
diverging air will start sinking groundwards.
Vertical Structure
Vertical Structure
 Tropical Storm Feature
• Circular feature of average 400/500 nm
diameter
• Centre eye diameter 15/30 miles
• Steep pressure gradient with high wind speeds
• The eye wall which is approx.15 nm wide has
an area of dense cloud associated with heavy
rainfall and high waves.
• Generate between Latitudes 5 to 10 deg
North or South of the Equator.
 Principle Danger of TRS
 Gales and strong winds
 Damage installations, dwellings,
communication systems, trees., etc. Resulting in loss
of life and property.
 Torrential rain
 May cause river floods
 Storm surges or high tidal waves
 A storm surge is an abnormal rise of sea level near
the coast caused by a severe tropical cyclone
 As a result, sea water inundates low lying areas
of coastal regions drowning human beings and live-
stock, eroding beaches and embankments, destroying
vegetation and reducing soil fertility
Here is a 3D
image of a
Tropical
revolving
storm. Notice
the lower level
winds being
drawn in and
spiralling
counter
clockwise.
The lines ‘isobars’ get closer
together, indicating faster flowing air.
 – Sinking air, warming adiabatically, causes air in the eye to be
warmer than elsewhere
– Relative humidities are lower in this region due to higher
temperatures

Tropical
cyclone
structure
 Tracks of TRS
The TRS travels at the speed of 10-30 km/hr.
In a day, it can cover a distance of about 300
KM. It moves from east to west, steered by
high level easterly wind. Sometimes the
movement is erratic, with loops and
wobbling. The TRS gets pulled polewards
and therefore general motion is northwest in
the northern hemisphere. There is a tendency
to move in areas of warm water. They weaken
as they enter in cold water or strike a coast.
Tracks of TRS
Track of TRS in Bay of Bengal/Arabian Sea
• In the Bay of Bengal, 2 to 3 TRS are common
during Oct- Nov. Rarely, 1 to 2 TRS are seen in
April and May. The track of most of the TRS is
north westerly and strike the eastern coast of
India. Sometimes, off Orissa coast, TRS recurve
and cross near Burma (Myanmar) coast.
• For Arabian Sea, the formation of TRS are rare.
However, the storms that form over Bay of Bengal
move across Peninsular India and emerge out in
Arabian Sea. The TRS get rejuvenation over the
Arabian Sea, move in a Northerly course and strike
the Saurashtra-kutch coasts. The Frequency of
storms in Arabian Sea is very much less compared
to Bay of Bengal
 Evidence for Determination of TRS
• Geographic conditions of storms experienced Lat 5 –
35 Deg.
• Location and Season NH - Jun-Nov & SH – Dec – May
• A heavy swell develops, usually from direction of
storm and may be experienced upto 1000 nm from the
storms centre.
• An unsteady barometer or a cessation in the diurnal range.
• Increased wind velocity or a change in the trade wind,
becoming violent.
• Open ocean, high sea temperature over 27 deg.
• A growth of cumulus and/or cumulonimbus will
develop with bands of showers
• Thunderstorms may occur within 100 nm radius of
storm.
• Oppressive atmosphere, with squally and heavy
rainfall in the vicinity of the storm.
• Changing appearance of the sky cirriform cloud.
 Recurvature of TRS
When the TRS reach higher latitudes, they change
the directions. They move north and then north east
in northern hemisphere. In southern hemisphere,
they move south and then south east. This process
is called ‘recurvature’. Before the recurvature, they
remain stationary for a day or more. After
recurvature, they move very fast. The recurvature is
decided by upper level winds, which is called
steering level. When two cyclones exist near each
other on the ocean, they interact and move
anticlockwise with respect to each other. In India the
TRS after recurvature get broken up over Himalayas
and wakens. Elsewhere over the world, as in Atlantic
ocean after recurvature, the TRS acquires the
properties of an Extra tropical depression
Cyclone Map of India
 Definitions of TRS
• VORTEX: The central calm of the storm.
• Right Hand Semicircle(RHSC): That half of the storm
centre that lies to the right of the observer who faces along
the path of the storm.
• Left Hand Semicircle(LHSC): That half of the storm centre
that lies to the left of the observer who faces along the path
of the storm.
• DANGEROUS SEMI-CIRCLE: The half of the storm, which
lies to the right of the path in the Northern Hemisphere and
to the left of the path in the Southern Hemisphere.
• DANGEROUS QUADRANT: The advance quadrant of the
RHSC in NH & LHSC in SH. When the existence of a TRS om
the vicinity has been established, evasive action has to be
taken to keep the vessel out of this quadrant.
• NAVIGABLE SEMI-CIRCLE: The half of the storm, which
lies to the left of the path in the Northern Hemisphere and to
the right of the path in the Southern Hemisphere.
• TROUGH LINE: A line through the centre of the storm at
right angles to the path. The dividing line between falling
and rising pressure
• PATH: The direction in which the storm is moving.
• TRACK: The area, which the storm centre has
traversed.
• STORM FIELD: The horizontal area covered by
the cyclone conditions of the storm.
• SOURCE REGION: The region where the storm
first forms.
• VERTEX or Cod: The furthest westerly point
reached by the storm centre.
• EYE OF THE STORM: The storm centre.
• BAR OF THE STORM: The advancing edge of
the storm field.
• ANGLE OF INDRAUGHT: The angle, which the
wind makes with the isobars
 Weather in TRS
Pressure : In the eye region the lowest pressure occurs.
Here, 15 to 20 HPA fall of pressure is common. In extreme
case, the central pressure was as low as 920 HPA. In the
outer storm area, the fall of pressure ahead of the trough,
and the rise of pressure behind it, is slow. The semi-
diurnal variation of pressure may still be visible on the
trace of a barograph. In the eye-wall, the fall of pressure
ahead of the trough, and the rise of pressure behind it, is
very sharp. The trace of the barograph is very steep,
nearly vertical. Semi-diurnal variation is not visible on it.
The pressure gradient in this region can be as high as 11
mb in 15 miles. The pressure keeps increasing rapidly
behind a TRS across eye wall and outer storm area.
Wind : Wind speed will be very high in eye wall region of the
order of greater than 100 kmph normally. If the wind veers
continuously, the ship is in the right hand semi circle and if
the wind backs continuously, the ship is in the left hand
 Wind
• Angle of indraft: The angle of indraft, in the outer
fringes of the storm, is about 45 Deg and gradually
decreases until it is 0 Deg in eye wall.
• Wind Force: The wind force will increase as the
atmospheric pressure falls and after the trough, or eye as the
case may be, has passed, wind force will gradually decrease
as the atmospheric pressure increases.
• Wind direction & Force in the Eye: As soon as a vessel
passes from the eye-wall into the eye, the wind dies down
into light airs but the swell is mountainous and confused. It
must not be presumed that a vessel in the eye of a TRS is in
a comfortable and safe position. On the contrary, she is in a
most dangerous situation. After a short while, as the vessel
passes into the eye-wall behind the trough, the sudden
hurricane force wind from the opposite direction as before,
strikes the vessel and may cause it to heel over by as much
as 80 deg. Or more and would hold it like that, leaving
practically no margin for rolling further.
•
 Clouds & Temperature
• Clouds : All types of clouds can be seen from eye wall
circle onwards. Nimbostratus clouds will give very heavy
continuous rain. In the outer fringers of the storm, cirrus in
the form of strands or filaments generally so aligned, that
may be said to point towards the storm centre. Then
cirrostratus followed by altostratus. Around the eye-wall,
thick nimbostratus(giving continuous rain) and small
patches of cumulus, may be seen. At the eye wall, towering
anvil shaped cumulonimbus gives torrential rain. Directly
above the eye, a small circular patch of blue sky may be
seen, indicating an absence of cloud therein and
consequent cessation of precipitation.
• Atmospheric Temperature. Since a TRS exists in one
air-mass only, no drastic changes of atmospheric
temp. are experienced on its passage. However,
atmospheric temp. would decrease during rain. In the
eye, a slight increase may be registered due to
adiabatic heating of the subsiding air.
 Visibility & Storm Surge
Visibility : Visibility will be good except during
rain which occurs in the eye wall and outer storm
circles. Around the eye -wall, under the
nimbostratus clouds, it becomes poor due to
rain. In the eye-wall, it is poor due to driving rain
and spray. In the eye, it is poor due to mist or fog.
Storm Surge : When pressure becomes low, water
will rise which is known as inverted barometeric
effect. The strong winds also increase the wave.
The waves reach as high as 20 metres or so. This
is called storm surge or tidal wave or storm wave.
• The storm surge will get amplified when the storm
crosses the land in a bay with shallow water or in a
river estuary especially during spring tide.
• In a TRS the maximum damage is due to storm
surge. About 90% of the death toll is due to storm
surge which affects about 25 km inland.
 Services provided for Storm
Warnings
• Storm warnings are transmitted over
various means of transmission.
• They include:
• Navtex – Continuous however available only in
coastal areas – not for long ocean passages
• VHF – port information
• Weather FAX – all over the world
• Inmarsat C – Same broadcast as Navtex
but for coverage area of Inmarsat
• High Frequency (HF) broadcasts – Ocean
passages
 Strom Warnings/Cyclone Forecast
Weather reports based on satellite pictures and
observations from other vessels may contain
storm warnings. A satellite picture cannot indicate
the atmospheric pressure at the storm centre. A
vessel which notices the warning signs of a TRS,
is the first and only one to do so and must warn
others about it. She should first send out a safety
message containing the storm warning and thence
increase the frequency of its weather reports. In a
Cyclone forecast 4 important aspects are:
1. Position of the cyclone
2. Its strength or intensity, whether it is a
depression or cyclone.
3. Whether the system is intensifying or weakening.
4. Future path or course of the system
 Major basins and warning
centers.
Basins Warning Centre(RSMC/TCWC
North Atlantic National Hurricane Center (US)
North-East Pacific National Hurricane Center (US)
North-Central Pacific Central Pacific Hurricane
Center (US)
North-West Pacific Japan Meteorological Agency
North Indian Ocean India Meteorological
Dept(India)
South-West Indian Ocean India Meteorological
Dept(India)
Four Aspects(hints) of Deciding Cyclone Forecast
i)Weather charts which consists of
observations on the surface as well as
upper atmospheric data observed at
fixed time like 00,03,06,09,12,18,21, UTC.
ii) Cloud observations from satellite
imageries and also from Radar observations.
iii)Ship and aircraft observations
iv)Weather buoys.
 Cyclone Movement Prediction
Cyclones move in a path where there is maximum.
1. Pressure fall, 2.Pressure departure from
normal,3. Clouds & rainfall
4. Path depends on the wind directions at about 10km
in the upper atmosphere which is called steering level.
5. When the isobaric analysis is carried out the cyclone
field has elliptical shaped isobars. The cyclone has the
tendency to move along the major axis of the ellipse.
6. Future path depends on the past track also,
which is called aspersistent climatology.
7. A Cyclone track atlas is maintained by each cyclone
prone country which covers hundreds of tracks of
cyclones in the past numbers of years. The present
cyclone is compared with the past tracks depending
upon its positions and its future path is decided.
• The cyclone prediction is not based on one factor
or other but it is based on the combination of the
factors contributing to its path and movement
Warning Signs of an approaching TRS

a) SWELL: Swells are the waves generated by a

distant TRS. They have a long wave length and
appear in a quick succession. From the eye-wall
region, they emerge radially in all directions and
reach the coast hundreds of miles away.
b) Pressure: Falls steadily. After filtering diurnal
variation of surface pressure if the pressure is
less than 5 HPA or more, it means there is a TRS
is in the vicinity.
c) Lot of clouding, heavy continuous rain with
squally gale force wind is a clear warning signal.
d) Storm warning bulletins issued by Meteorological
Department is a good guidance for mariners
 Weather
• Cirrus clouds in bands or filaments aligned
towards the direction of the storm centre.
• Unusually clear visibility may occur.
• Sometimes peculiar dark red/copper colour
of sky is seen at sunset before a TRS.
• Increase of wind force as the pressure falls.
• Threatening appearance of dense, heavy
clouds on the horizon.
• Frequent lightning may be seen
• Succession of Squallls, with or without rain.
Obtain the bearing of the storm centre .
(a)‘Face the wind, and according to Buys law the storm
centre will lie 8 – 12 points on your right in the NH,
Left in the SH. If the pressure has fallen 5 mb below
normal, allow 12 points as it means that either the
vessel is in the outer fringes of a well developed TRS,
or that a new TRS is forming in the vicinity.
(b)If the pressure has fallen 20 mb or more below
normal, allow 8 points as it means that the vessel is
near the eye of a well developed TRS.
(c) If the wind is veering continuously, the ship is in
right hand semi circle. If the wind is backing
continuously, the ship is in the left hand semi circle.
(d) If the ship is at the port at the time of crossing of a TRS
it is advisable to sail off the shore, so that the ship can be
prevented from collision with the port structure or running
aground. While out in the high seas, efforts should be
taken to keep the ship away from the storm centre
Dangerous Semi Circle: Right Hand Semicircle in NH
& Left Hand Semicircle in SH

Navigable Semi Circle: Left Hand Semicircle

in
NH & Right Hand Semicircle in SH
To ascertain in which semicircle vessel lies
• For a stationary observer, if the wind veers, vessel is in the
RHSC and if it backs, LHSC. This holds good for
both NH & SH. While determining the semicircle,
the following points should be noted.
• Wind Observations, though logged every hour during
bad weather, should be compared with that 2 hours
earlier. This is to give time for significant veering or
backing and hence weed out errors that may be caused
by irregular gusts of wind.
• Veering or backing, once detected, should be
continuous while the observer remains stationary, ie. a
veering wind should continue to veer and a backing
wind should continue to back. If the wind veers at first
and then backs, or if it backs at first and then veers, the
vessel must have passed from one semicircle into
another, due to change of path of the storm.
 Semicircle vessel lies contd……
• During the two-hour interval between
observations, while veering or backing of wind
is being decided, the observer must be
stationary(ie. Vessel should remain hove to). If
not, the conclusion arrived at regarding RHSC
or LHSC may be wrong and disastrous
consequences may result.
• If a vessel was overtaking a TRS or it if was
approaching a stationary TRS from its rear, the
wind would veer in the LHSC and back in the
RHSC. An unwary navigator would then arrive at
a wrong conclusion regarding semi-circle and
take wrong action, which action, instead of taking
him away from the storm centre, would
 Navigable
Trac Semicircle

AlternativePath
Dan
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Na
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abl
Semicircle
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Vertex Se
Eye
mi
cir
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Vertex le
Characteristic
Eye Track

D
20˚S
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Alternative u
Path s
S
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 Action when approach of a
TRS is confirmed

1. Obtain the bearing of the storm centre.

2. Ascertain in which semi-circle the vessel

lies.

3. Take avoiding action.

 Avoiding Action
• Any avoiding action should aim to keep the vessel
well out of eye-/eye-wall.
• If a vessel is in the Dangerous Quadrant: Proceed as
fast as practicable with the wind 1-4 points on the stbd
bow(port bow in SH)-1 point for slow vessels (less than
12 kts) altering course as the wind veers(backs in SH).
This action should be kept up until the pressure rises
back to normal ie. Until vessel is outside the outer storm
area. If there is insufficient sea room, the vessel should
heave to with the wind on the stbd bow(port bow in SH)
until the storm passes over.
• If vessel is in the path of the storm or if in the
Navigable semi-circle: Proceed as fast as
practicable with the wind about 4 points on the stbd
quarter (port quarter in SH), altering course as the
wind backs(veers in SH). This action should be kept
up until the pressure rises back to normal ie. Until
vessel is outside the outer storm area.
1-2-3 Rule
In NH, while in Right Hand Semi Circle, that is dangerous
semi circle, proceed starboard side by about 1 – 4
points(for a fast moving vessel) till the pressure becomes
normal and wind becomes light (outside the storm)
If the ship is in the circle in SH, it should proceed along
with the wind by 4 points on the Stbd side and get out of
the storm area.
 Tropical Storm / Hurricane Key Facts
Hurricanes are located in the low-pressure belt near the equator as
the sun heats the oceans to a critical temperature of 27 C.
The oceans heat up all through the summer making their
warmest temperatures in the Autumn (specific heat capacity);
this is Hurricane season in the Atlantic.
The hurricane starts as a tropical depression, gaining more and
more energy from the warm ocean as it crosses the Atlantic. The
circulation of the depression gets tighter (isobars are closer
together) and the wind speed increases into a tropical storm.
The wind speeds continue to increase, becoming a category 1 up
to category 5 for the most violent storm. As the hurricane makes
landfall damage is done by the winds and rain and an advancing
storm surge, which raise sea level by 5m+ in some cases.
The hurricane quickly looses its energy as it crosses the cooler land,
as the energy supply has been cut off. The hurricane dies.
Sometimes remnants of hurricanes are brought across back across the
Atlantic at the mid latitudes giving us very strong depressions in the UK.
Warm Oceans
The ‘food’ of a tropical storm
is the warm moist water
found near the equator. The
air here is under LOW
pressure, which means it
can lift easily. This lifting
encourages the air to cool
and condense, as it does
latent heat is released. This
is the name given to energy
produced when a substance
changes state ie vapour to a
liquid.
 Cyclone Movement Prediction
Cyclones move in a path where there is maximum.

1. Pressure fall. 2. Pressure departure from normal

3. Clouds and rainfall

4. Path depends on the wind directions at about 10km in the upper

atmosphere which is called steering level.
5.When the isobaric analysis is carried out the cyclone field has elliptical
shaped isobars. The cyclone has the tendency to move along the major
axis of the ellipse.
6.Future path depends on the past track also, which is called as
persistent climatology.
7.A Cyclone track atlas is maintained by each cyclone prone country which covers
hundreds of tracks of cyclones in the past numbers of years. The present cyclone
is compared with the past tracks depending upon its positions and its future path
is decided. The cyclone prediction is not based on one factor or other but it is
based on the combination of the factors contributing to its path
 Ideal conditions for the formation
of TRS
• (a) High Relative Humidity(open sea) & (b) High
Temperature(Tropical areas)-Ensure that Large quantity of
water vapour is present in the air.
• (c) LP Area surrounded by areas of HP & (d) Convection
current(daytime over large islands) - Ensure that air rises
continuously so that adiabatic cooling results in condensation
that liberates latent heat, which provides energy for the TRS.
• (e) Fair amount of Coriolis force(latitude more than 5 Deg
N/ S)- Ensures that when the winds blow, from surrounding
areas of HP to LP area inside, they get deflected
sufficiently to blow spirally inwards(Cyclonic)
• (f) Weak prevailing winds(During change of season)- If
the prevailing winds are strong, the air would not rise
vertically. It would be carried off horizontally, thereby not
allowing a TRS to form.
• It exists during day time over large tropical islands, in mid
ocean, between lat 5 & 20 Deg, during change of monsoon in
Indian waters, mid Apr – mid June & from Oct to Dec.