How a cyclone grows
Over a warm sea, moist air rises fast. Moist air holds a lot of water vapour. When vapour condenses, it turns into water drops. Heavy rain and strong wind follow. Some of these storms grow into cyclones.
Step 1 of 4
- Warm moist air rises from the warm sea.
- Its vapour condenses into cloud and gives out heat.
- The air rises more, the pressure falls and air rushes in.
- The Earth spins the air. A cyclone has a calm eye.
New words
- Cyclone — a large spinning storm over a warm sea.
- Eye — the calm centre, where the pressure is lowest.
The rule
Warm moist air over the sea rises. Its vapour condenses and gives out heat, so the air rises more. The pressure falls, and air rushes in. The Earth spins the air. This is a cyclone.
On land, the cyclone loses its moist air. So it slowly weakens.
Watch out!
The eye is calm. The strongest wind and rain are around it.
Stay safe
When a cyclone warning is given, listen to the local alerts. Stay indoors and do what officials and adults say.
Step through how a cyclone grows.
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