Clouds , Ocean Currents , Cyclone Phalin, Helen and Typhoon Haiyan

1. Prologue
2. Dawn & Twilight
3. Clouds & Precipitation
4. Relative Humidity
5. Types of Precipitation & Forms of Precipitation
6. Classification of clouds
7. Cloud Burst/ Cloud Seeding
8. Ocean Currents (Warm and Cold).
9. Cyclone Phalin (And excellent work by Indian Government)/ Cyclone Helen (On the
way)
10. Typhoon Haiyan
Note An article for GS-1 only. (Not for students with Geography as optional). As very few
articles written on geography subject so writing this one.

Dawn and Twilight

The diffused light that occurs before sunrise and after sunset. Light is scattered by the molecules
of the atmospheric gases & reflected by dust and moisture so that, the atmosphere is illuminated.
Such effects may be enhanced by the presence of pollution & other suspended particles, such as
those from volcanic eruption or forest fires.
The duration of Dawn & Twilight is a function of latitude because the angle of the suns path
above the horizon, determines the thickness of atmosphere, through which the suns rays must
pass.
Lower Suns angles(higher latitudes) produce longer dawn & the twilight period
For e.g at Equator (each dawn & twilight) == 30-35 min
At 60 degree (each dawn & twilight) ranges upward == 2.5 hours

The poles experience about 7 weeks of Dawn & 7 weeks of Twilight, leaving only about 2.5
months of near darkness during the 6 months when the sun is completely below the Horizon

Just an example Students interested in tennis will certainly remember this Roger Federer vs
Nadal match at Wimbeldon(London) finals 2008, went way past beyond 9.30pm BST(British
standard time) and still there was light on the ground. That was due to the 2.5 hours dawn and
twilight

Clouds
Cloud The visible manifestation of condensation on a large scale in nature is referred to as
cloud. (Will explain condensation later no need to worry).
Clouds form when air happens to cool to dew point & the vapor condenses into water droplets or
ice-crystals
Condensation Laymen e.g

Condensation -The process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. Water
vapor rises, cooler temperatures cause it to condense to form tiny water droplets or ice crystals in
the clouds
Condensation also occurs at ground level. The difference between fog and clouds which form
above Earth's surface is that rising air is not required to form fog. Fog develops when air has a
relatively high humidity and comes in contact with a colder surface. Additional cooling leads to
condensation and the increase of low-level clouds.
Two Conditions necessary for cloud formation are
i)

Air must saturated

ii)

There must be a substantial quantity of small particles called condensation nuclei.

Around these particles liquid droplets can form when vapour condenses

Relative Humidity (RH)

It is the best known means of describing the content of water vapor in atmosphere. It is
simply the ratio between the amount of water vapor in air of a given temp & the maximum
amount of vapor that the air could hold at that temp
Note - If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity(RH), sweat will not evaporate into the air.
As a result, we feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is
high.
Humidity can be measured in several ways, but relative humidity is the most common.
Absolute humidity is the mass of water vapor divided by the mass of dry air in a volume of air
at a given temperature. The hotter the air is, the more water it can contain.

Relative humidity is the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute
humidity (which depends on the current air temperature). A reading of 100 percent relative
humidity means that the air is totally saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more,
creating the possibility of rain.
Precipitation - Precipitation is any form of moisture which falls to the earth. This includes rain,
snow, hail and sleet.
Precipitation occurs when water vapor cools. When the air reaches saturation point (also known
as condensation point and dew point) the water vapor condenses and forms tiny droplets of
water. These tiny droplets of water from clouds.
Complex forces cause the water droplets to fall as rainfall.
All rain is the same. It happens as the result of warm, moist air being cooled, leading to
condensation and in turn rain.
The way the air is uplifted to make clouds is referred to as type of precipitation (Thoda sa toh lift
karade). 3 Major types of precipitation
i)
ii)

Convectional
Frontal

iii)

Oro-graphic (Barrier)

Convectional Precipitation Because of the suns differential latitude & happens only in lower
latitudes

Step 1.
The sun heats the ground and warm air rises.
Step 2
As the air rises it cools and water vapor condenses to form clouds.
Step 3.
When the condensation point is reached large cumulonimbus clouds (explained later) are formed.
Step 4.
Heavy rain storms occur. These usually include thunder and lightning due to the electrical charge
created by unstable conditions.
Convective precipitation is showery with large rain drops coming fast but only for a short
duration. This precipitation is restricted in terms of latitude, season & time of day.
Frontal Precipitation This takes place especially in middle latitudes (example UK), when two
contrasting air masses meet, the warm air rises. This occurs when a warm air mass and a cold air
mass meet. A warm front is discovered when warm air advances and rises over the cold, which is
heavier and denser. As this warm air rises it also cools causing condensation takes places. If this
condensation continues there will be a growth in warm droplets which fall as rain when heavy
enough.

Step 1.
An area of warm air meets and area of cold air.
Step 2.
The warm air is forced over the cold air

Step 3.
Where the air meets the warm air is cooled and water vapour condenses.
Step 4.
Clouds form and precipitation occurs
Oro-graphic Precipitation/Relief Rainfall
This precipitation can occur at any latitude, any season, any time of the day, if there is a barrier
& moist air(air that is a mixture of dry air and any amount of water vapor) is forced to move up.
It is more likely to be general & prolonged because there is relatively steady upslope flow of air.

Step 1.
Warm wet air is forced to rise over high land.
Step 2.
As the air rises it cools and condenses. Clouds form and precipitation occurs.
Step 3.
The drier air descends and warms.
Step 4.
Any moisture in the air (e.g. cloud) evaporates.
Classification of clouds (by luke howard in 1803)
2 Dimensions of cloud a) shape b)height
Shape
Howard used 3 latin words for designating 3 standard shapes
a) Cirrus (Lock of curly hair)

b) Stratus (A Layer sheet/sheet/ceiling)

c) Cumulus (a heap or a pile)
Howard also used the word Nimbus which means a rain-bearing cloud.
Height
The height at which a cloud is formed. ( 3 sub-types)
a) High cloud ( clouds found at an elevation above 6000 meter(m))
b) Middle clouds (clouds found at an elevation between 2000 6000 m)
c) Low clouds (clouds found at an elevation below 2000 m )
Note High clouds are usually cirrus in shape and low clouds are stratus in shape. And the
cloud with great vertical extent are mainly cumulus in shape.
Clouds in detail
1) High Clouds Mainly cirrus (Ci) of feathery ,form at 20,000-40,000 feet (6 to 12 km)
above earths surface.
a) Cirrus (ci) = Cirrus clouds appear as white delicate, wispy (thin & weak) stripes or
fans that often curve with the wind. It indicates fair weather & often gives a brilliant
sunset.
b) Cirro-cumulus = These clouds create patterns of patchy cotton balls high in the sky.
c) Cirro-stratus =It may cover the sky with a milky blanket, still allowing some weak
sunlight & moon light to filter through.

2) Medium clouds(2000 -6000 m) Also called as ALTO

a) Alto cumulus = these are wooly bumpy clouds arranged in layers & appearing like
waves in the blue sky. Note = these clouds normally indicate fine weather.
b) Alto Stratus (Alt-str) = these usually consist of a solid, thick layer of clouds that
dont let in enough sunlight to penetrate to the ground to let shadows form

3) Low clouds (Below 2000 m)

a) Strato cumulus = These clouds are low & lumpy, usually with frequent gaps where
sun-light or moon-light shines through
b) Stratus Clouds = These clouds give the sky an over cast appreance & can resemble
Fog
c) Nimbo Stratus = This is a dark dull cloud, clearly layered & is also known as Rain
cloud.

Forms of Precipitation

1) Rain (Diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to 6 mm (mm = milli metre)). This is the most
common form caused due to
a) When dew point temperature is more than freezing
b) Melting of Ice-crystals, as they pass through warmer air
2) Snow Solid precipitation which happens in middle & higher latitudes and also Higher
altitudes of lower latitudes. Snow is usually dry & powdery.
e.g Higher altitudes of lower latitudes (Mt Kenya 5199 m = its feet on equator & peak on
snow covered area).
3) Sleet = Mixture of Rain + snow/hail
4) Hail = Consists of rounded or irregular pellets or lumps of ice. Large hail stones are
usually composed of concentric layers of clear & cloudy ice. Hail is produced in cummulo
Nimbus clouds as a result of active Turbulence & vertical air currents.
5) Drizzle = (less that 0.5 mm). Spray like rainfall in water drops which are of an extremely
small size having a diameter of less than 0.5mm & fall at very slow pace. These drops have their
origin in low & thin stratus clouds. E.g fog and mist which occur at ground level, drizzle
adversely affects visibility.
Some important terms
Cloud Burst used for sudden & very concentrated down pour of water.
Area affect is quite small and cloud burst is caused by intense local convectional rising. Note
please refer convectional rising. And now question for all of you then how did cloud burst
happen in Uttrakhand ??
Cloud Seeding or Govt Rain
Cloud Seeding Introduction into clouds, of condensation Nuclie, Salt particles or water
droplets with objective to induce more precipitation. Believe by scientist (Solid co2 pallets i.e
dry ice & silver iodide smoke can enhance cloud growth & hence increase precipitation)
SMOG = SMOKE + FOG (Termed used in early 20th centuary)
1) But Today it is used especially to refer to photo-chemical fog. (It is a haze produced when
insulation reacts with Hydro-carbons & nitric oxides present in vehicles emission)
2) Greatest of all smog related disaster was London smog in 1952, when approx 4000
people died from health disorders caused by the smog.

Ocean Currents(In a nut-shell only for GS-I)

An ocean current is any more or less permanent or continuous, directed movement of ocean
water that flows in one of the Earth's oceans. The currents are generated from the forces acting
upon the water like the earth's rotation, the wind, the temperature and salinity differences and the
gravitation of the moon.
Ocean currents can flow for thousands of kilometers. They are very important in determining the
climates of the continents, especially those regions bordering on the ocean.
Generally the term ocean current is used to horizontal movement in the upper most 100 metre
of water called surface layer. The ocean current are classified as warm and cold on a relative
basis with respect to the surrounding waters. The so called warm & cold currents usually exhibit
temperatures that differ by only a few degrees from those of the surrounding waters.
In general the currents moving from lower to the higher latitudes are warm currents & the ones
which are moving from the higher to lower latitudes are called cold current. The current near the
equator are generally classified as warm current.
On the basis of volume of water, speed & dimensions the ocean currents are classified as
a) Drifts (Refers to slow motion of surface layer, with no clear boundaries. The movement
of water is erratic in terms of direction. Speed may be between 16-24 km/day)
b) Currents (refers to surface movement, which is more rapidly & more defined than the
drift. Speed is 6-8 km/hour)
c) Streams (refers to surface motion, which is much more well defined, its boundaries are
more clearly identifiable.)
Some important examples of ocean current
Warm Currents(lower to higher latitudes/ Ascending order)
1) North Equatorial current
2) South Equatorial current
3) Equatorial counter current
4) North Pacific current
5) Kuru Shio or Japan current
6) East Australia current
7) Brazil Current

8) Gulf Stream
9) North Atlantic Drift
10) Mozambique Current
Cold Currents (Higher to lower latitudes/ Descending order)
1) Labrador Current
2) South West & North East Monsoon Drift
3) Bengula Current
4) Falkland Current
5) Oya Shio/Kamchatka Current
6) West Australian Current
Warm and cold Currents Diagram(Please remember Latitudes high to low(Descending = cold)/
low to high(Ascending = warm))

Cyclone Phalin 2013

Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin ( meaning "sapphire") was a powerful tropical cyclone that
caused substantial damage(Note - 21 people dead), in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, India. It was

the most intense cyclone that crossed Indian coast after the 1999 Odisha cyclone (Note- more
than 10,000 people died during 1999 cyclone)
Over 200,000 hectares of agricultural land and 200,000 houses have been destroyed, as per the
state government. Power transmission was also crippled in the district as 40 transmission towers
were eradicated by the cyclone's fury. Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts were severely affected
by heavy floods, and rescue operations are going on. In Balasore alone, 300,000 people are stuck
because of the flooding.
In Andhra Pradesh the damage was less, but still considerable. Coconut plantations across 3,200
hectares in the Srikakulum district have been damaged and power supply affected. However,
power supply is being restored shortly and roads have been cleared for transportation.
Areas Affected by Cyclone Phailin

Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara,

Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.
Even though Phailin weakened slightly prior to landfall, destructive winds well over 160 kmph
(100 mph) and flooding rain of at least 200 mm (8 inches) pummeled the region. A crippling
storm surge of at least 3 meters (10 feet) is expected to have swamped the coast near and just
northeast of the point of landfall.

The 4 major reasons for the disaster to have less impact (And ofcourse Indian Government has to
be applauded for the magnificent work)
1) Effective storm warnings by Indian Meteorological Department(IMD)
2) Evacuations (that too quick)
3) Location of Phailins landfall and its geography
4) The storm substantially weakened prior to and during landfall

Cyclone Helen
Cyclonic storm Helen Friday hit Andhra Pradesh(Not again) coast near Machilipatnam,
triggering heavy rains and strong gales with speed reaching 100-110 kmph caused havoc in the
coastal districts of Krishna and two Godavari districts.
What is Cyclone ?
A cyclone is a strong wind storm are also called as violent wind storms. Tropical cyclones begin
over warm tropical seas in areas of low atmospheric pressure. The warm, moist air begins to
spiral and becomes a strong, circling, wind storm.
A cyclone is a large wind system that moves around an area of low atmospheric pressure. It can
spread over 500 miles (800 kilometers) in diameter. Low pressure usually develops in large land
areas where the air tends to rise. Surrounding air moves toward the low-pressure area and starts
to circulate, either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether the cyclone is in the
Northern or Southern hemisphere. Cyclones can produce cloudy weather and broad areas of rain
and even snow
Cyclones can change direction suddenly, which makes it very difficult for meteorologists to
forecast what will happen. Tropical cyclones bring heavy rain and cause high waves. Cyclones
move at up to 360 kilometres per hour, bringing heavy rain. The wind and rain causes lots of
damage when the cyclone crosses over coastal land.
Typhoon Haiyen
Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines. Tens or hundreds of thousands of people
displaced and basic services, including access to food, shut down in many areas. Speed of wind
315 kmph.
The typhoon cut a path through the middle of this island country a direct hit on about 10
percent of the population

Some Questions that passed through my mind. (Please avoid it unless you are just a
starter like me)
1) What is the difference between hurricane, cyclone and typhoon?

"Hurricane", "cyclone" and "typhoon" are different terms for the same weather phenomenon
which is accompanied by torrential rain and maximum sustained wind speeds (near centre)
exceeding 119 kilometers per hour(kmph)

In the western North Atlantic, central and eastern North Pacific, Caribbean Sea and Gulf
of Mexico, such a weather phenomenon is called "hurricanes".
In the western North Pacific, it is called "typhoons".

In the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, it is called "cyclones".

In western South Pacific and southeast India Ocean, it is called severe tropical
cyclones.

In the southwest India Ocean, it is called tropical cyclones.

2) When do tropical cyclones occur?

The typhoon season in the western North Pacific region typically runs from May to
November. The Americas/Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30,
peaking in August and September. The cyclone season in South Pacific and Australia
normally runs from November to April. In the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, tropical
cyclones usually occur from April to June, and September to November (Cyclone Phalin
Oct 12th 2013). The East Coast of Africa normally experiences tropical cyclones from
November to April.
Reasons for Cyclone (In a nut-shell only)

As warm, moist air over the ocean rises up from the ocean surface, there is less air left near the
surface, and this causes an area of lower air pressure below.
The air around this region has higher air pressure, and so it rushes in to fill the low pressure area
This air also becomes warm and moist and so it rises, too. The cycle keeps going.
Warm air rises, the surrounding air swirls in to take its place, and so on. When the warm moist
air rises, it cools off, and the water in the air forms clouds. The whole system of clouds and wind
spins and grows, because it is being constantly fed by the ocean's heat and water evaporating
from the surface.
Cyclones can only form over warm waters in the tropical regions of the oceans where the sea
temperatures are 26.5 degrees Celsius or higher (around 80 degrees F)
They occur in areas of very low pressure when air that is heated by the sun rises rapidly, and
becomes saturated with moisture which then condenses into high thundercloud. As the
atmosphere becomes favorable for development (no wind shearing in the higher parts of the
atmosphere), normal thunder storms clump together. When the hot air rises, cooler air rushes in
to fill the area left vacant by the hot air. The Coriolis effect of the Earth spinning on its axis
causes the air to spiral upwards with considerable force. This in turn causes the winds to rotate
faster, causing the tropical low to deepen in intensity into a tropical depression, and eventually a
cyclone
Cyclones are also characterized by strong winds, yet in their centre is a clear, calm region called
the 'eye'. When the cyclone continues its course, and the winds return from the other direction,
they may seem to be more violent. The winds are not just rotating; there is also the effect of the
warmer air continually rising and cold air rushing in. That is why the winds are so strong, and
seem to move in all directions.
Just for fun (Whose gives names to cyclone e.g Phalin , Helen or typhoon Haiyen)

The name list is proposed by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)
of WMO Members of a specific region, and approved by the respective tropical cyclone regional
bodies at their annual/bi-annual sessions
Name Arun Chettiar

References - The Hindu

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G C Leong Book
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