Cyclone

1. What is the name given to a tropical cyclone in the Western Pacific?

What is the name given to a tropical cyclone in the Western Pacific?

Cyclone
Hurricane
Typhoon
Willy-Willy
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
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In the Western Pacific, a tropical cyclone is called a Typhoon.
Tropical cyclones are given different names depending on the region where they form:
– **Cyclone:** Used in the North Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) and the South Pacific/Indian Ocean.
– **Hurricane:** Used in the Atlantic Ocean, Northeast Pacific Ocean, and South Pacific east of the International Date Line.
– **Typhoon:** Used in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, west of the International Date Line.
– **Willy-Willy:** An informal term sometimes used for tropical cyclones off the northwest coast of Australia.
Despite the different names, they are all the same meteorological phenomenon: a rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and heavy rainfall, fueled by the heat released when moist air rises and condenses.

2. Which of the following relating to the formation of tropical cyclone i

Which of the following relating to the formation of tropical cyclone is/are correct?

  • Large sea surface with temperature above 27 °C
  • Presence of Coriolis force
  • Upper convergence over the sea level system

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2
1 and 3
2 and 3
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
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The correct conditions for the formation of a tropical cyclone among the given options are large sea surface temperature above 27 °C and the presence of Coriolis force.
Tropical cyclones require several key conditions to form and intensify:
1. **Warm Sea Surface Temperature:** The ocean surface must be at least 26.5-27 °C (80 °F) down to a depth of at least 50 meters. This provides the latent heat and moisture necessary to fuel the storm.
2. **Coriolis Force:** This force is necessary to initiate the rotation of the air mass around a low-pressure center. It is negligible near the equator, which is why tropical cyclones do not typically form within about 5 degrees latitude of the equator.
3. **Pre-existing Low-Pressure System:** A weak low-pressure area or disturbance is needed as a starting point.
4. **Moist Air:** Sufficient moisture in the atmosphere is required to support the convective development.
5. **Low Vertical Wind Shear:** Wind speed and direction should not change significantly with height. High wind shear can disrupt the storm’s structure.
6. **Upper-Level Divergence:** Air must be diverging aloft above the surface low-pressure system. This allows the rising air in the thunderstorm activity to ventilate and supports further upward motion and intensification. The third statement mentions *upper convergence*, which is contrary to the required condition of *upper divergence*.
The formation process involves the release of latent heat when water vapor condenses, which warms the surrounding air, making it less dense and causing it to rise. This rising air reduces pressure at the surface, drawing in more moist air, creating a feedback loop that fuels the storm. The Coriolis force causes the inflowing air to rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

3. In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical la

In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

Sea surface temperatures are low
Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
Coriolis force is too weak
Absence of land in those regions
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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Tropical cyclones do not originate in the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific tropical latitudes primarily because the sea surface temperatures are generally too low in these regions.
Tropical cyclones require warm ocean waters (typically 26.5°C or higher) extending to a significant depth to provide the necessary heat and moisture. In the South-Eastern Pacific along the coast of South America, the cold Humboldt Current keeps the sea surface temperatures low. In the South Atlantic, cold currents (like the Benguela Current) and other factors like high vertical wind shear and unfavorable positioning of the ITCZ generally suppress tropical cyclone formation. While the ITCZ (option B) is also a factor, low sea surface temperature (option A) due to persistent cold currents is a fundamental constraint that prevents the formation or sustenance of tropical cyclones in significant parts of these tropical regions. Coriolis force (option C) is weak near the equator but sufficient in higher tropical latitudes; its weakness only explains the absence near the equator itself, not the entire regions. Absence of land (option D) over the ocean does not prevent cyclone formation.
Occasionally, tropical or subtropical storms can form in the South Atlantic under unusual conditions, but full-blown hurricanes or typhoons are extremely rare. The South-Eastern Pacific is also generally inactive due to the cold water. Most tropical cyclones form in the North Atlantic, Eastern/Central/Western North Pacific, North Indian Ocean, South Indian Ocean, and the Australian/Southwest Pacific basins.

4. Which of the following statements about tropical cyclone are correct?

Which of the following statements about tropical cyclone are correct?

  • It originates and develops over warm oceanic surface.
  • Presence of Coriolis force is necessary for it.
  • It occurs in middle latitudinal region.
  • It develops ‘eye’ with calm and descending air condition.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 4
3 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2018
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Tropical cyclones are intense low-pressure systems that originate over warm tropical oceans (Statement 1 is correct). The Coriolis force is essential for the rotation and development of a tropical cyclone; hence, they typically do not form near the equator where the Coriolis force is negligible (Statement 2 is correct). Tropical cyclones form and develop in tropical regions, generally between 5° and 30° latitude, not in middle latitudinal regions (Statement 3 is incorrect). A well-developed tropical cyclone features a central ‘eye’, which is a region of calm, clear, and subsiding air (Statement 4 is correct).
Key characteristics of tropical cyclones include formation over warm ocean waters, requirement of Coriolis force for rotation, occurrence in tropical latitudes, and the presence of a calm ‘eye’ at the center of mature storms.
Middle latitude cyclones (also known as extratropical cyclones) form in the middle latitudes (typically between 30° and 60° latitude) and are associated with frontal systems. They derive energy from temperature contrasts, unlike tropical cyclones which derive energy from latent heat released by condensation of water vapor.

5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I
(Tropical Cyclone)		 List-II
(Location)
A. Cyclones 1. USA
B. Hurricanes 2. East Asia
C. Typhoons 3. Australia
D. Willy-willies 4. India

Code :

A B C D
(a) 4 2 1 3
(b) 4 1 2 3
(c) 3 1 2 4
(d) 3 2 1 4
A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2015
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The correct matching is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3.
– Tropical cyclones are known by different regional names.
– Cyclones is the term commonly used for tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean region, including areas around India.
– Hurricanes is the term used in the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific Ocean, affecting areas like the USA.
– Typhoons is the term used in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, affecting East Asia.
– Willy-willies is an informal term sometimes used for tropical cyclones in the Australian region.
These tropical storms are essentially the same phenomenon – intense low-pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters – but their nomenclature varies depending on the geographical basin where they originate. Other regional names include Bagyo (Philippines) and Severe Cyclonic Storm (India Meteorological Department classification).

6. The inner most region of a hurricane is known as hurricane-eye where :

The inner most region of a hurricane is known as hurricane-eye where :

temperature is highest and pressure is the lowest
temperature is lowest and pressure is the lowest
sky is clear and temperature is the lowest
sky is under dense cloud cover and pressure is the lowest
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
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The inner most region of a hurricane, known as the eye, is characterized by the lowest atmospheric pressure at the surface and the warmest temperatures at the surface within the storm.
The eye forms in the center of the hurricane where air sinks. This descending air suppresses cloud formation, leading to clear or partly cloudy skies and calm conditions in contrast to the violent eyewall surrounding it. As the air descends, it warms adiabatically, resulting in warmer temperatures, especially at the surface. The central pressure in the eye is the lowest in the entire storm, a defining characteristic of intense tropical cyclones.
The eyewall, surrounding the eye, is the most intense part of the hurricane, containing the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall. The transition from the violent eyewall to the calm eye is often abrupt and dramatic for anyone experiencing it.

7. Whenever a tropical cyclone moves to land, much of its severity is red

Whenever a tropical cyclone moves to land, much of its severity is reduced. This is because

  • 1. its source of moisture is cut off
  • 2. the friction over land kills tropical cyclones

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. When a tropical cyclone moves over land, both the cutting off of its moisture source and the increased friction contribute significantly to the reduction of its severity and eventual dissipation.
– Statement 1 is correct: Tropical cyclones draw immense energy from the latent heat released by the condensation of water vapor evaporated from the warm ocean surface. Moving over land cuts off this primary energy source.
– Statement 2 is correct: The land surface is much rougher than the ocean surface, causing increased friction. This friction slows down the winds, disrupts the storm’s circulation pattern, and contributes to its weakening. While friction might not “kill” it instantly, it plays a vital role in its decay along with the loss of moisture and sensible heat from the surface.
The rapid weakening of a tropical cyclone upon landfall is primarily due to the combined effect of losing access to the warm, moist ocean and the increased friction from the land surface. Other factors like interaction with topography and ingestion of drier air can also contribute to its weakening.

8. Which one among the following statements relating to a cyclone is not

Which one among the following statements relating to a cyclone is not correct ?

It is a wind circulation system with a low pressure at the centre
It brings about sudden change in weather condition in an area
Wind movement towards the low pressure centre of a cyclone is clockwise in the northern hemisphere
It is known as hurricane in West Indies
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Statement C is incorrect. In the Northern Hemisphere, due to the Coriolis effect, winds in a cyclone (a low-pressure system) spiral *counter-clockwise* towards the centre. In the Southern Hemisphere, they spiral clockwise.
The Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth’s rotation, is responsible for the deflection of moving air (and water). This effect dictates the direction of rotation of large-scale weather systems like cyclones and anti-cyclones in different hemispheres.
A cyclone is indeed a low-pressure wind circulation system (Statement A). Cyclones bring about significant and often sudden changes in weather, including strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes storm surges (Statement B). Cyclones are known by various names globally depending on the region, such as hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and willy-willies off the coast of Northwestern Australia (Statement D).

9. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ? Tropical C

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?

Tropical Cyclone Location
(a) Hurricane Australia
(b) Willy-Willy Japan
(c) Baguio Philippines
(d) Taifu North Atlantic
Hurricane Australia
Willy-Willy Japan
Baguio Philippines
Taifu North Atlantic
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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The correct option is C) Baguio Philippines.
Tropical cyclones are given different regional names:
– **Hurricane:** Used in the North Atlantic Ocean, Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the International Date Line.
– **Willy-Willy:** Used in the region of Northwest Australia.
– **Baguio:** The local name for a tropical cyclone in the Philippines.
– **Taifu (Typhoon):** Used in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the International Date Line (affecting East Asia including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Philippines).
Based on these definitions, the pair “Baguio Philippines” is correctly matched.
Although Baguio is the local name in the Philippines, the storms are technically typhoons as per the international nomenclature for that region of the Northwest Pacific. However, “Baguio” is widely associated with cyclones affecting the Philippines. Willy-willy is specific to NW Australia. Taifu (Typhoon) affects a broader region of NW Pacific, not just Japan. Hurricanes are specifically Atlantic/NE Pacific.

10. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I
(Tropical Cyclone)		 List II
(Country)
A. Hurricanes 1. China
B. Willy Willy 2. Philippines
C. Baguio 3. Australia
D. Typhoons 4. USA
A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
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The correct matching of the tropical cyclone names with the regions/countries where they are commonly known by that name is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, which corresponds to Option A.
– Tropical cyclones are known by different names in different parts of the world.
– Hurricanes are tropical cyclones occurring in the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific Ocean, affecting countries like the USA and those in the Caribbean.
– Willy Willy is an informal term for tropical cyclones off the northwest coast of Australia.
– Baguio is a local name for tropical cyclones in the Philippines.
– Typhoons are tropical cyclones occurring in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, affecting countries in East Asia like China, Japan, and the Philippines.
All these terms refer to the same weather phenomenon: a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. The threshold for being classified as a hurricane, typhoon, or severe cyclonic storm (in the Indian Ocean) is generally sustained winds of at least 74 mph (119 km/h).
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