In News:

• Odisha, Andhra on red alert as cyclone Titli inches close
• Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘TITLI’ over west central Bay of Bengal:

Tropical cyclone:

• A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation.
• Tropical Cyclone is a common name; the regional varies as Hurricane in the Atlantic, Typhoon in the Pacific and Cyclone in the Indian Ocean.

Difference between tropical cyclone and temperate cyclone

• LATITUDE: Tropical cyclone is confined between 5 to 30 degree north and south of the equator, whereas temperate cyclone originates between 30 to 60 degree north and south of the equator
• ORIGINATING ELEMENT: Temperature and Coriolis force plays vital role in the origin of tropical cyclone. In case of temperate cyclone, it is frontogenesis plays important driving force (occluded front).
• TYPES OF CLOUD ASSOCIATED: Wide range of clouds is associated with the temperate cyclone. While in the case of tropical cyclone the cloud composition is mainly dominated by clumonimbus clouds.
• AREA COVERED: Temperate cyclone covers large area as compared to tropical cyclone.
• SOURCE OF ORIGIN: Tropical cyclone generally originates over water surface but the temperate cyclone originates over mid-latitude land mass.
• DIRECTION OF FLOW: Temperate cyclone generally flows eastward movement (west -> east) but there is no as such fixed movement pattern in case of tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclone generally takes the path from sea to land.
• NUMBERS: Tropical cyclone is of singular characteristic, whereas temperate cyclone flows in family.
• EYE: Eye is a typical feature in case of tropical cyclone, where as in temperate cyclone there is no such concept of ‘EYE’ associated with it.

Benefits of Tropical Cyclones:

• Although Tropical cyclones are known for destruction they cause, when they strike they also bestow certain benefits to the climatic conditions of that area such as
• Relieve drought conditions.
• Carry heat and energy away from the tropics and transport it towards temperate latitudes, thus helps to maintain equilibrium in the Earth’s troposphere and
• Maintain a relatively stable and warm temperature worldwide.