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Cyclones and Anticyclones-Characteristics

In this study, the characteristics of cyclones and anticyclones have been discussed. In addition, it also provides the definition of cyclone and anticyclone and the list of cyclones that hit India in 2020- 2021.

Cyclones and anticyclones are the regions of low and high pressure respectively. Cyclones and anticyclones occur on the earth’s surfaces and they can have a variety of size ranges. Both phenomena are associated with vertical air movement. Therefore, the present article provides the definition of cyclone and anticyclone. It also includes the characteristics of anticyclone and cyclone and their differences. 

Definition of cyclone and anticyclone 

Cyclone: A cyclone is a natural phenomenon that occurs in a low-pressure area. Cyclones move in counter clockwise direction where the middle of the cyclone becomes a low-pressure zone. Tropical cyclones form only over the warm ocean near the equator, when the moist, warm air over the ocean raises upward from near the surface a cyclone forms.  

Anticyclone: Anticyclones are the opposite of cyclones and they form in the region with high atmospheric pressure. It includes sunken air when it moves; as a result, it leads to fair weather. Anticyclones are made up of different air components but the air masses are clear, dry, and calm. They have small air pressure gradients; slow winds and they divert cyclones along their edges. 

Characteristics of cyclone and anticyclone

Cyclone 

Anticyclone

  • Cyclone winds blow counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere, it blows clockwise. 
  • Cyclonic winds move almost everywhere in the world
  • The only place where cyclones do not appear is in the equatorial belt. 
  • Characteristics of cyclones result in bad weather conditions such as clouds, heavy rains, and storms. 
  • The centre of a cycle is a low-pressure area; therefore, the air near the ground pushes towards the low-pressure areas. Then rises upward, expanding, and cools as it moves. 
  • Cyclone forms clouds 
  • The average speed of a cyclone is around 120 Kilometre per hour. Although the speed of cyclones can vary from 30 to 200 kilometres per hour however, it also reaches 400 kilometres per hour also. 
  • The pressure gradients of a cyclone are very sharp and they have closed isobars. 
  • The origin of the tropical cyclone is ocean or seas only and they are most vigorous and violent over water. 
  • Anticyclone moves in counter clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere, and clockwise in the northern hemisphere. 
  • An anticyclone is an area of high pressure where air moves apart and sinks. 
  • Anticyclone indicated clear and fair-weather conditions. 
  • Air at the centre of the anticyclone is forced away from its area of high pressure and replaced by a downward blast of air from higher latitude.
  • Anticyclone does not form cloud  
  • Anticyclone has a much lower speed than a cyclone. The propagation speed of the anticyclone is around 2.5 to 8 meters per second. It is approximately 6 to 8 miles per hour. 
  • They have widely spread isobars and they are not so violent in nature.  

Cyclones have variable names in different parts of the world such as hurricanes, and typhoons. Their names are based on the origin of the cyclone, for example, Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, Cyclone in the Indian Ocean, and Typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. 

List of cyclones that hit India 

Cyclone Jawad: Cyclone reached Odisha and Andhra Pradesh is the states of India on 4th December 2021. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storms. 

Cyclone Gulab: Cyclone reached Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts on 25 September 2021. The specified cyclone forms in the North Indian Ocean. 

Cyclone Tauktae: It is the first cyclone storm in the year 2021 and it emerges from the Arabian sea. It hits southern Gujarat a state in India on 17th May 2021.

Cyclone Yaas: Cyclone yaas formed in the Bay of Bengal and it hits West Bengal and adjoining Odisha cost in May 2021. 

Cyclone Nisarga: The specified cyclone is the second pre-monsoon cycle that emerges from the Arabian Sea. It hit Alibag in Mumbai and it is the first cyclone that hit Mumbai since Phyan of 2009. 

Cyclone Amphan: It is one of the most powerful tropical cyclones in the Indian States of West Bengal and Odisha.  

Conclusion 

The present study has concluded the characteristics of cyclones and anticyclones. Therefore, it can be concluded that cyclones and anticyclones are natural phenomena that occur because of low and high air pressure. It has also been observed that different cyclones originating from different oceans or seas have hit India very badly in the past few years as discussed above. 

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NDA Examination Preparation.

What do isobars of anticyclone represent?

Ans:Isobars of anticyclone represent an increase in the pressure outwards from the centre and above 1008 mb.

What is the difference between tropical cyclones and extra tropical cyclones?

Ans:A tropical cyclone does not have a clear frontal system whereas an extra tropical cyclone has a clear frontal system. Tropical cyclones only or...Read full

What is the difference between cyclone and anticyclone characteristics?

Ans:The most prominent difference between the cyclone and anticyclone characteristics is that cyclone occurs in the low-pressure areas and a...Read full

Is a tornado an anticyclone?

Ans:No, Tornado is not an anticyclone, it is a cyclone that forms in low-pressure areas, and the isobars of tornados are moving inwards therefore i...Read full

What are the different weather conditions produced by an extra tropical cyclone?

Ans:Extra tropical cyclones can produce different weather conditions such as follows: Thunderstorms Cloudiness Mild ...Read full