Give a comparative account of structure and associated weather conditions of tropical cyclone with that of temperate cyclone.
The key differences between Tropical and Temperate Cyclones can be understood under below headings:
Location
Tropical cyclones form along the 5 to 10 degree latitude {but never form along 0 to 5 degree latitude due to absence of coriolis force} whereas temperate cyclone are formed along middle latitude (35 to 60 degree) where convergence of thermally different masses collide each other.
Origin
Tropical cyclones always origin in large water bodies, where as temperate cyclones can origin on both landmass or water.
Structure
Tropical cyclones have a definite structure of formation having a front end followed by a zone of calmness called “eye” and ends with tail (rear end). In temperate cyclone, two different air masses collide each other so four different sectors are formed, they are cold sector (cold drier air mass), cold front, warm sector(warm moist air mass) and warm front.
Size and speed
Tropical cyclones range from 150-200 kms with high velocity where as temperate cyclones are larger in size ranging around 1900 km and due to large size it moves slower at the speed of 40-60 kmph.
Movement direction
Tropical direction moves from east to west direction under the influence of trade winds on the other hand temperate cyclones move from west to east direction under the influence of westerly winds.
Weather condition
The tropical cyclones are associated with heavy rain fall and high velocity of winds for short duration at small area, sometimes the rain and associated winds are so high that it can cause damage to life and property mostly at eastern coastal areas. In temperate cyclone the weather are mild and overcast sky in initial stage and followed by moderate to heavy rain for long period of time on large area.