A system of winds that rotate inward (spiral inward) toward an area of ​​low air pressure, such that it rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Cyclones are formed by a large amount of energy coming from the ocean into the atmosphere. According to studies, 70 to 90 cyclonic systems develop worldwide each year. Surface winds spiral toward low-pressure systems due to the Coriolis force. Cyclonic systems do not form in equatorial regions because the Coriolis force is negligible between latitudes 5 degrees north and 5 degrees south. The strongest winds of a cyclone are at its eye, and their speed can exceed 160 km/h (100 mph).

How are Cyclones Formed?

The formation of cyclones takes place in low-pressure areas. The vulnerability of the place where the cyclone strikes depends on the topography, intensity and frequency of the cyclone.

There are 6 factors that can be held responsible for the formation of the cyclone:

• Ample amount of warm temperature at the surface of the sea.
• Instability in the atmosphere.
• How the Coriolis force is impacting the area so that a low-pressure area can be created.
• When the humidity is high in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere.
• Disturbance in the pre-existing low-level area.
• When the vertical wind shear is low.

A cyclone is created as a result of a set of certain conditions in the atmosphere. The workings in a simple breakdown can be summarized below:

1. Warm Ocean Water: Cyclones are formed in warm ocean water, where the surface temperature of the water is generally more than 26.5 o C (80 o F). The hot and wet air ascends out of the surface of the ocean forming a low-pressure zone.
2. Low-Pressure System: As the warm air rises, it creates a vacuum, causing cooler air to rush in from the surrounding areas. This sets up a cycle of rising warm air and incoming cooler air, contributing to the development of a low-pressure system.
3. Coriolis Effect: The rotation of the Earth causes the rising air to spiral, as the Coriolis effect makes winds curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This spinning leads to the formation of a rotating storm system.
4. Formation of a Cyclone: Most cyclones form over warm ocean waters near the equator. As the air over the ocean heats up, it rises and creates an area of low pressure beneath it. The surrounding air then rotates around the low-pressure centre in a clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere and in a counterclockwise direction in the northern hemisphere. The rotating air starts to pick up speed as it spirals inward towards the low-pressure centre.
5. Maturity and Intensification: The cyclones further increase in strength as they accumulate energy in the hot ocean waters. When the conditions are still in the favorable position they may turn into strong storms with sustained winds of more than 74 mph forming a full fledged tropical cyclone or hurricane.

Conclusion

Cyclones are developed in warm waters in the ocean, where the heat and moisture form low-pressure systems. This effect is due to Coriolis, which makes the air twist, thus creating a revolving storm. They are formed by factors such as warm temperature, atmospheric instability and heavy humidity. Powerful storms are cyclones, which increase in strength due to the accumulation of energy.