Number and energy of cyclones and anticyclones

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In summary, the northern hemisphere gets more cyclones and anticyclones than the southern hemisphere on a typical day of the year. The reasons for this difference are complex but include the fact that the Pacific Ocean creates a lot of wind sheer that militates against cyclone formation, and that the western Pacific Ocean gets hammered hardest of all.
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verdigris
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How many cyclones and anticyclones are there in the northern hemisphere compared to the southern hemisphere, on a typical day of the year.Is the energy of cyclones/anticyclones in the north greater than the energy of the cyclones/anticylones in the south? How do the numbers of cyclones/anticyclones vary over a period of decades?
 
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verdigris said:
How do the numbers of cyclones/anticyclones vary over a period of decades?
Some basic rules of thumb:
  • The northern hemisphere gets hammered much harder than does the southern hemisphere.
    The Southern Ocean creates a lot of wind sheer that militates against cyclone formation.
  • The Pacific Ocean gets hammered much harder than do the Atlantic or the Indian Oceans.
    The Pacific is big.
  • The western Pacific Ocean gets hammered hardest of all.
    The Pacific is very, very big.
Taiwan, Okinawa, southeast Asia: They get hammered, hammered hard, and nowhere else compares. I recently traveled to Okinawa. The buildings there are concrete bunkers. They know how to protect themselves against typhoons.

Here's a nice image that illustrates things:

Tropical_cyclones_1945_2006_wikicolor.png
 
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Just my guess, but I think the likely reason for why there is on average less intense storm activity in the southern hemisphere, is because there is less land.
The presence of land greatly influences the flow direction of sea and air currents causing air masses with very different characteristics to often form boundaries,
Those boundaries, (fronts), are regions where a lot of potential energy is available to be converted into kinetic energy, particularly in the form of convection, which is necessary for the formation of storm systems.
Also other phenomena such as warm moist air being cooled leads to condensation of water vapour resulting in rain.
 
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1. What is a cyclone and how is it different from an anticyclone?

A cyclone is a low-pressure system that rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. It is associated with stormy weather and high winds. An anticyclone, on the other hand, is a high-pressure system that rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. It is associated with calm, clear weather.

2. How are the number and energy of cyclones and anticyclones affected by climate change?

There is evidence that climate change is increasing the number and intensity of cyclones and anticyclones. Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for cyclones to form and intensify. Additionally, changes in atmospheric circulation patterns can lead to more frequent and intense anticyclones in certain regions.

3. What factors determine the strength of a cyclone or anticyclone?

The strength of a cyclone or anticyclone is determined by a combination of factors, including the temperature and moisture content of the air, the pressure gradient, and the upper-level wind patterns. These factors work together to create and sustain the rotation of the system.

4. How are cyclones and anticyclones tracked and predicted?

Cyclones and anticyclones are tracked and predicted using a variety of tools, including satellite imagery, weather balloons, and computer models. Meteorologists analyze data from these sources to determine the location, strength, and potential movement of these systems.

5. Are there any regions of the world that are more prone to cyclones and anticyclones?

Cyclones and anticyclones can occur in any region of the world, but they are more common in certain areas. For example, cyclones are more frequent in tropical regions, while anticyclones are more common in subtropical regions. The frequency and strength of these systems can also vary depending on the time of year and regional weather patterns.

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