Understanding

Typhoons
Module 2.4
 ATMOSPHERE LAYERS

STRATOSPHERE MESOSPHERE THERMOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE
EXOSPHERE
* Layer exposed to
natural phenomena
and weather
conditions.
Tropical Cyclones
- it refers to a wind system that
circulates around a low
pressure center.
- composed of two distinct
words;
Tropical – hot and humid
geographical point
Cyclone – cyclonic circulation of
strong winds.
 Tropical Cyclones
- It has different names in various
parts of the world where it is
specifically developed.

Hurricane – if it is formed in the North

Atlantic Ocean affecting the Caribbean Sea.
Typhoon – when formed in the
Northwest Pacific Ocean, affecting
Southeast Asia, the West Philippine Sea
and mostly Japan.
Severe Tropical Cyclone
– if it is formed in the Southeastern Indian
and Southwest Pacific Oceans.

Severe Cyclonic Storm

– when formed in the North Indian Ocean.

Tropical Cyclone
– when formed in the Southwest Indian
Ocean.
Where Tropical Cyclone Originate?
– It obviously occurs over warm waters around
the world.
- Develops over large ocean water with surface
temperature of at least 26 ºC, about 300 miles
(500 km) away from the equator.
- occur in the ITCZ or Intertropical
Convergence Zone.

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

– area where Northeasterly and Southeasterly
trade winds converge.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

– circulating near the equator, and known

its lowest surface pressure, where the
converging air ascends (causing “lower
pressure” on Earth’s surface), condenses
and strengthens into sufficiently strong
tropical disturbances.
Where Tropical Cyclone Originate?

• June – November : the ITCZ

oscillates over the Philippines, which
triggers the formation of
cumulonimbus cloud leading to
prevalent rain showers and
thunderstorms in the country.
 Formation of Typhoon
– starts over large body of water which is
relatively warm. (warm water powers the tropical
cyclone)

● Tropical cyclones use warm moist air as

fuel that is why they usually form in warm
oceans near the equator.

● This warm air rises and leaves an area of

low pressure near the surface.
 Development of Typhoon
STAGE 1
● Tropical Disturbance – a discrete
weather system of clouds, showers and
thunderstorms with apparent circulation
that originates in the ocean in the tropical
region for 24 hours and more.

STAGE 2
● Tropical Depression – it occur when
thunderstorms are slightly organized and
the winds blow stronger increasing its
speed sustaining one-minute winds ups to
38 mph at an elevation of 10 meters.
 Development of Typhoon
STAGE 3
● Tropical Storm – when winds reach 39
mph in the closed circulation. Winds
increase greatly and can take as little as
half day up to two days.
STAGE 4
● Typhoon, Hurricane or Cyclone – it occur
when tropical storm grows intensely and
matured which obtained a one-minute
wind of at least 74 mph at an elevation
of 10 meters. When the wind exceeds to
115 mph it can be upgraded to Super
 FACTORS AFFECTING TYPHOON
01 COLD WATERS
The absence if moisture from warm ocean waters means the
absence of a typhoon’s “fuel” source which weakens the
energy of the typhoon making the temperature lower than
26.5 ºC

02 NO WATERS
A typhoon will drastically deteriorate once its eye moves over the
land. The air overland cools quickly due to specific heat causing
the typhoon to quickly lose intensity.
* There is less friction over the water than overland which affects
the surface circulation of typhoon.
 FACTORS AFFECTING TYPHOON
03 WIND SHEAR
- It refers to the difference between the speed shear (wind
speed) and its directional shear over a relatively short
distance within the atmosphere.

- The rule states that the shear must be 20 knots or less for
intensification to happen.

- High wind shear or the wind shear at several thousand feet

from the surface can remove the heat and moisture
needed by the typhoon causing it to be disrupted.
 Why is Philippines Prone to
Typhoon?
• The main reason is topographical location
of the Philippines, wherein it lies in the most
tropical cyclone-prone waters on Earth,
making it susceptible to typhoons.

• Philippines is an archipelago surrounded by

warm waters from the Pacific Ocean suitable
for the development of low-pressure
system.

• The distance of the Philippines from the

equator id best site for Coriolis Effect (an
apparent force that spins the cyclone)
Why is Philippines Prone to Typhoon?

● The Philippines is in the

path of where low
pressure areas take.

● Typhoons maintain
Coriolis force to keep
spinning after hitting the Cyclone paths.
Philippines.
 Fujiwara Effect
● Fujiwhara (or
Fujiwara) effect is the
interaction between
two nearby tropical
cyclones.

● It is also known as a Typhoons Pepeng and Quedan

over the Philippines in 2009.
binary interaction.
PAGASA
In the Philippines, Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) is the
government agency responsible in monitoring
typhoon and providing information on
weather updates.
 Role of PAGASA
• Monitor weather and climate of the
country.
• Provide information to the public about
typhoon and flood warnings.
• Deliver weather forecasts and advisories.
• Provide facts related to climatology,
meteorology and astronomy.
• monitors typhoon movement in an area
known as the PAR.
 The PAR
● The Philippine Area of
Responsibility is a
designated area where
PAGASA is tasked to
monitor the
occurrence of tropical The Philippine Area of
cyclones. Responsibility
 How Landforms and Bodies of Water
Affect Typhoons
Tropical Cyclones and Landmasses
● When a typhoon moves over land masses, it weakens.
● This is due to the typhoon moving away from the warm, moist air
above oceans.
● Sometimes, typhoons may weaken as they move over lands and cold
waters but may regain strength if, along their course, they move over
warm water.
 How Landforms and Bodies of Water
Affect Typhoons
Tropical Cyclones and Landmasses
● When a typhoon moves over land masses, it weakens.
● This is due to the typhoon moving away from the warm, moist air
above oceans.
● Sometimes, typhoons may weaken as they move over lands and cold
waters but may regain strength if, along their course, they move over
warm water.
How Landforms and Bodies of Water
Affect Typhoons
How Landforms and Bodies of Water
Affect Typhoons
 Damaging Effects of Typhoon
1. Heavy Rainfall – it can elevate the water levels in rivers that
may over flow leading to flashfloods, landslides
2. Strong Winds – can destroy vehicles, houses and other
buildings.
3. Storm Surge – it is the abnormal rise in the sea level due to
strong surface winds that move over the shallower water as it
approaches the coast.