Temperate cyclones are also known as Extra-tropical cyclone where the term “Extra-tropical” signifies that this type of cyclone generally occurs outside the tropics with a latitude range between 30° and 60°.
Characteristics of Temperate Cyclone (Extra-Tropical Cyclones)
- The Extra-Tropical Cyclones are storm systems emerging in the mid and high latitudes, away from the tropics.
- They are low-pressure systems with associated cold fronts, warm fronts, and occluded fronts.
- These cyclones are formed along the polar front.
- In the beginning, the front is stationary.
- Extra-tropical cyclones are also known as mid-latitude storms or baroclinic storms.
- In the Northern hemisphere, cold air blows from the north of the front and warm air blows from the south.
- When the pressure descents along the front, the cold air move towards the south and the warm air moves northwards setting in motion an anticlockwise cyclonic circulation.
- The cyclonic circulation results in a well-built extratropical cyclone, with a cold front and a warm front.
- There are pockets of warm air compressed between the forward and the rear cold air.
- The warm air climbs over the cold air and a series of clouds appear over the sky ahead of the warm front and cause rainfall.
- The cold front approaches the warm air from behind and pushes the warm air up.
- As an outcome, cumulus clouds develop along the cold front.
- The cold front moves faster than the warm front eventually surpassing the warm front.
- The warm air is entirely lifted up and the front is occluded and the cyclone dissipates.
- They can originate over the land and sea and cover a larger area.
