Environmental Insights and Reflections: October 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012

FUJIWHARA EFFECT

I learned that FUJIWHARA EFFECT is named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other. The effect is often mentioned in relation to the motion of tropical cyclones, although the final merging of the two storms is uncommon. The effect becomes pronounced in these storms when they approach within about 1,500 km (900 mi) of each other and are at tropical storm strength or stronger.

I want to know more on why the cyclones approach each other, their centers will begin orbiting cyclonically about a point between the two systems due to their cyclonic wind circulations. The two vortices will be attracted to each other, and eventually spiral into the center point and merge. When the two vortices are of unequal size, the larger vortex will tend to dominate the interaction, and the smaller vortex will orbit around it.

I want to research on how this Fujiwhara effect happen in our atmosphere. And why it happened A few sets of examples can be found in the busy 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. During the height of the season, Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Iris took part in a brief Fujiwhara interaction. Iris then began interacting with a third storm, Tropical Storm Karen, which orbited and later merged with the more intense Iris.

I appreciate the fact that when it happen to us it bring away storm but I am also afraid that it can worsen the case and make the storm stronger and it could bring us a lot of damage.

All of these information gathered can be the learning and insights that I can share with my family and friends. Also the things that we should do during the occurrence of this phenomena. That could also help us in our community.

PUBLIC STORM SIGNALS

I learned that there are four PUBLIC STORM SIGNALS here in the Philippines. Such as PSS # 1,2,3,3 and that they have a big difference when they are given to your place or province. Public Storm Signal No. 1 may have winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. Public Signal No. 2 may have winds of greater than 60 kph and up to 100 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours. Public Signal No. 3 may have winds of greater than 100 kph up to 185 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours. And Public Signal No. 4 may have very strong winds of more than 185 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.

I want to know more on how does these public storm signals can help us during calamity. And how and why was it given by the authority in our province.

I would like to research on how a strong tropical cyclone can harbor an area of sinking air at the center of circulation And how it could be measured by the public storm signal. If this area is strong enough, it can develop into a large "eye" and what is the public storm signal in the eye of a tropical cyclone.

I appreciate the fact that PUBLIC STORM SIGNALS help us a lot during typhoon calamities. It save a lot of people in our community and even our properties.

All of these information gathered can be the learning and insights that I can share with my family and friends. Also the things that we should do and expect when we are given this storm signal.

Tropical Cyclone

I learned that a tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air.

I want to know more on why all tropical cyclones are areas of low atmospheric pressure in the Earth's atmosphere. The pressures recorded at the centers of tropical cyclones are among the lowest that occur on Earth's surface at sea level. Tropical cyclones are characterized and driven by the release of large amounts of latent heat of condensation, which occurs when moist air is carried upwards and its water vapor condenses. This heat is distributed vertically around the center of the storm. Thus, at any given altitude (except close to the surface, where water temperature dictates air temperature) the environment inside the cyclone is warmer than its outer surroundings.

I would like to research on how a strong tropical cyclone can harbor an area of sinking air at the center of circulation. If this area is strong enough, it can develop into a large "eye". Weather in the eye is normally calm and free of clouds, although the sea may be extremely violent. The eye is normally circular in shape, and is typically 30–65 km (19–40 miles) in diameter, though eyes as small as 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) and as large as 370 kilometres (230 mi) have been observed. Intense, mature tropical cyclones can sometimes exhibit an outward curving of the eyewall's top, making it resemble an arena football stadium; this phenomenon is thus sometimes referred to as the stadium effect. It is usually warmest in the center.

I appreciate the fact that Tropical helps us in the production of rain that contributes a lot on the cropping season of our farmers, that helps in the production of our basic need which is the food. But I know that it can also damage properties and that it could bring harm to us.

All of these information gathered can be the learning and insights that I can share with my family and friends. Also the things that we should do during the occurrence of this phenomena. That could also help us in our community.