ESS5
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Tropical
Disturbances and Easterly Waves
qSome tropical
disturbances form in association with mid-latitude troughs migrating toward lower
latitudes, some form
from ITCZ-related convection, but most develop from easterly waves.
qEasterly
waves, or undulations in
the trade wind pattern, spawn hurricanes in the Atlantic (typically 2–3000 km).
qOnly about
10% tropical disturbances intensify into more organized, rotating storms.
