Tropical Revolving Storm

• By

RAJESH RAJA
 Tropical Revolving Storm
• Also lovingly known as TRS , is packed with power
& generates lot of Anxiety for a navigator.
• They are areas of Intense Low Pressure with
winds blowing spirally AnDclockwise in NH and
Clockwise in SH ( as explained earlier due to
Coriolis force).
• Known with different Local names & different
Categories as shown in tables to come.
• Similar intense Low Pressure, but with differences
are Called Tornados & Water Spouts explained
later.
 Nick names of TRS
• Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal , Arabian Sea & SW
Indian Ocean( Late Spring & Late Autumn).
• Hurricane in the Western side of north AtlanDc
and south Pacific.
• Cordonazo in the Eastern side of North Pacific.
• Typhoon in the Western side of North Pacific.
• Willy - Willy in the Eastern side of South Indian
Ocean.
• A complete absence of TRS in South AtlanDc &
Eastern South Pacific can be observed, the reason
for this anomaly is related due to Insufficient High
sea surface temperature.
TRS nicknames- movie
TRS Map 1
TRS Map 2
 Causes & CondiDons for TRS to build
• High RelaDve Humidity Large Open Sea & Water Vapor.
• High Temperature in Ocean Normally an ocean temperature of
26.5°C is the minimum requirement for TRS formaDon. Warm
ocean water must exist over a sufficient depth of at least 50
meter. These warm waters are necessary to fuel the heat engine
of the tropical cyclone.
• PotenDally unstable atmosphere If the air is unstable, then it will
conDnue rising and the disturbance will grow. This is required to
maintain convecDon for an extended period of Dme.
• Energy derived by Latent Heat released during condensaDon of
water vapor from ascending Tropical air masses.
• Presence of Fair amount of Coriolis Force ( LaDtude of more than
5 deg N or S )
• Limited Wind Shear ( else the build up will be broken, should be
away from Jet streams )
• Area of LP surrounded by HP.
 FormaDon & Premature Stage
• The forma&on Stage of a tropical cyclone is dependent upon above
favorable environmental condiDons , which are available in the Inter
Tropical Convergence Zone.
• Tropical cyclones gain energy from latent heat, driven by significant
thunderstorm acDvity and condensaDon of moist air. In other words,
tropical cyclone formaDon can be called as a giganDc verDcal heat
engine, which is also powered by earth's gravity and rotaDon. On
satellite images, this stage appears as an unusually acDve, but poorly
organized area of convecDon (thunderstorms). SomeDmes curved
cumulus clouds band towards an acDve area of thunderstorms, which
indicates the locaDon of the centre.
• At this stage, if tropical cyclones move inland, then they make li`le or
no damage but may form heavy rain and flooding in some areas.
• In Pre Mature stage the area of convecDon conDnues and becomes
more organized. Also strengthening occurs simultaneously. The
minimum surface pressure rapidly drops well below than normal level.
Gale-force winds also develop with the strengthening pressure
gradient. The circulaDon centre is well defined and subsequently an
eye may begin to form. Satellite and radar observaDons of the system
show as the disDncDve spiral banding pa`ern.
 Maturing & Decay stage
• In Mature stage if the ocean and atmosphere environment
conDnues to be favorable, the cyclone may conDnue to intensify
to this stage. This is the severe cyclone stage, where the cyclone
is most dangerous. Approximately half of the cyclones can come
up to this stage.
• During this stage, the cyclonic circulaDon and extent of the gales
increase markedly. In satellite images, the cloud fields look highly
organized and become more symmetrical, with a well-centered,
disDnct round eye. This stage remains for a day or so with
maximum intensity, unless the cyclone remains in a highly
favorable environment.

• In Decay Stage the warm core of TRS is destroyed, as the central

pressure increases and the maximum surface winds are weaken.
Decay may occur very rapidly, if the system moves into an
unfavorable atmospheric or geographic environment. At this
stage the heavy or medium rain can be available.
How do Hurricanes Form- Movie 2
How TRS is born – Movie 3
 TRS Indicators
• Swell : When there is no sight of intervening land, the sea might generate
swell within a TRS, indicaDng an early warning of the formaDon of the
same. Normally, the swell approaches from the direcDon of the storm. The
Swell travels at a greater speed than Storm.
• Atm Pressure : If the corrected barometer ( IE, Diurnal VariaDons, Height )
reading falls below 3 mb or more for the mean reading for that Dme of the
year (check the Sailing DirecDons for accurate informaDon of pressure
readings), you can expect a (Tropical Revolving Storm) TRS. If reading is
5mb or more below normal, there is li`le doubt of TRS in vicinity ( 200
nm)
• Calm Before a Storm : Preceded by a day of Unusual clearness, with very
good visibility as well also known as a Lull before a storm.
• Clouds : Presence of extensive Cirrus Clouds converging to storm center, as
you approach the TRS, the clouds get lower and cover a bigger area
(altostratus). Generally followed by cumulus clouds as you get closer to
the Tropical Revolving Storm (TRS).
• Wind : Appreciable change in direcDon & strength during TRS seasons , to
be viewed with suspicion.
• Storm Warnings : Via Met centers, Weather Fax , From another Ship ,
Satellite images, Radar pictures( airborne, Land based) also.
FormaDon of a TRS
 Anatomy
• Eye or vortex is a roughly circular area of
comparaDvely light winds and fair weather, at the
center of a severe tropical cyclone where air sinks.
Weather in the eye is normally calm but the sea can be
extremely violent. There is li`le or no precipitaDon and
someDmes blue sky or stars can be seen. The eye is the
region of lowest surface pressure than the surrounding
environment. The diameter of an eye can be around 40
km and also can range more. In severe cyclones, the
eye usually looks like a circular hole in the central cloud
mass.

• Eye wall consists of a dense ring of cloud and tall

thunderstorms that produces heavy rains and usually
the strongest winds (about 100 kts) at about circular
path.
 Anatomy …Cont
• Eye wall ..cont. This wall is about 15 km in height, with
diameter between 100 mile or more, into the
atmosphere.. Changes in the structure of the eye and
eye wall can cause changes in the wind speed, which is
an indicator of the storm's intensity. The pressure
gradient in the eye wall is very steep and barograph
trace will show as near verDcal curve line.

• Outer storm area is the area, which is out side of the

eye-wall and can extend up to 800 km from the cyclone
centre and contain heavy rain and wind squalls with
wind force 6 to 7. Here pressure gradient is much less
than eye wall.
Structure & Trace
Anatomy of Storm
Anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy of a TRS – Movie 4
Typhoon Haiyan - Movie 5
Movement of TRS
 Movement
• IniDally TRS travels between W and WNW in the NH and
between W and WSW in the SH. During their passages, they
curve away from the equator, which are N, then NE in NH and
S, then SE in SH. These re –curving normally occur at about
30o N and 30o S.
• Again someDmes a TRS does not re-curve at all and conDnues
on same route, unDl cross the coast line.
• Track –The route over which a TRS has already passed.
• Path – The predicted route, over which, there is a possibility
of the TRS passing at near future.
• Vertex - which is the western most point, of the TRS, when re-
curving takes place.
Category of TRS
 DefiniDons
• Veering : Wind direcDon changes Clockwise .
Example N to NE , S to SW, W to NW
• Backing : AnDclockwise change of wind direcDon.
Example N to NW , S to SE, E to NE
• Right hand semicircle (RHSC): It is the half of the
storm, which lies to right of the observer, who
faces along the route of storm. For a staDonary
observer, here the wind veers steadily.
• Lel hand semicircle (LHSC): It is the half of the
storm, which lies to lel of the observer, who
faces along the route of storm. For a staDonary
observer, here the wind backs steadily.
RHSC & LHSC
 Dangerous & Navigable Semi Circles
• Dangerous Semi Circle : RHSC in NH & LHSC in
SH.
• Navigable Semi Circle : LHSC in NH & RHSC in
SH.
• Dangerous Quadrant : Advance Quadrant of
RHSC in NH & LHSC in SH.
• Evasive AcDon is needed to keep out of this
Quadrant.
TRS – RHSC , LHSC & Danger Quad
TRS in NH- RHSC, LHSC
 Evasive AcDon Plan
Determine the probable direcDon
• Face the wind, then the storm centre will be within 8 to 12 points on right
hand in NH (on lel hand in SH).
• From the direcDon of the swell, this indicates roughly the storm centre.
• From the direcDon of the densest part of the huge bank of clouds, this also
indicates the storm centre.
Determine probable distance of the storm centre.
• If barometric pressure falls 5 mb below normal, then there is a possibility
that ship is in the well developed outer storm area.
• If barometric pressure falls 20 mb or more below normal, then there is a
possibility that ship is near the eye of a well developed TRS.
Determine the probable semicircle of the storm.
• Bring the ship in staDonery or “heave to” (moving very slowly in one
direcDon) posiDon.
• Carefully monitor and write down wind direcDons, every 2 hours.
• If wind direcDon changes clock wise (wind veers), then the vessel is at
Right hand semicircle (RHSC) and if wind direcDon changes anD-clock wise
(wind backs), then the vessel is at Lel hand semicircle (LHSC), in
both hemispheres.
 AcDons in Port
AcDons in TRS, at port
• If possible, first try to go to sea at a safe distance with
plenty sea room and sufficient depth of water.

Otherwise do the followings,

• Double the moorings.
• Keep Engine standby.
• All persons to be onboard.
• Keep all LSA at standby posiDon.
• No slack tanks.
• All hatches should be securely ba`ened down.
• All derricks/cranes should be lowered and secured.
• Adequate fenders should be placed between the ship and
the je`y.
 AcDons at Anchorage
AcDons in TRS, at anchorage,
• If possible, first try to go to sea at safe distance with plenty sea
room and sufficient depth of water or shil to a safe anchorage with
enough shelter.

Otherwise do the followings,

• Drop both anchors with several cables in water.
• Keep Engine standby, Can run engines at Dead Slow ahead
• All persons to be onboard.
• Keep all LSA at standby posiDon.
• No slack tanks.
• All hatches should be securely ba`ened down.
• All derricks/cranes should be lowered and secured.
• All bridge equipments (including Radar, fog-horn) and navigaDonal
lights (including emergency navigaDonal lights) should be in
OperaDonal/standby mode.
 AcDons At sea
• If the vessel is in Dangerous semicircle, try to proceed
as fast as possible with the wind 1 to 4 points on the
Stbd bow in NH (Port bow in SH), as 1 point for slow
speed ship (less than 12kts) and 4 point for high-speed
ship (more than 12kts).
• If the vessel is in Navigable semicircle, try to proceed as
fast as possible with the wind about 4 points on the
Stbd quarter in NH (Port quarter in SH).
• This process would conDnue, unDl Pressure rises to
normal. If there is no enough sea room to follow the
avoiding acDons, than the vessel should be with “heave
to” condiDon, with the wind as above.
• If the vessel is in the direct path, then she should run
with the wind on the Starboard Quarter in NH ( Port
Quarter in SH ) into the navigable semicircle (which is
LHSC for NH and RHSC for SH)
Evasive AcDons for TRS in NH
Evasive AcDons for TRS in NH
Evasive AcDons for TRS in SH
 PrecauDon
• If a Vessel is Overtaking a TRS or if
approaching from rear, the wind would VEER
in LHSC ( Navigable NH, Dangerous SH) &
would BACK in RHSC ( Dangerous NH ,
Navigable SH ).
• If not careful in assessing TRS then one can
arrive at a wrong conclusion regarding
semicircle and could end up in leading into the
storm instead of away.
Use of Safety Sector in keeping clear a TRS

Vessel sailing 180 (T) x 20 Kts

A / '0000 hrs 20 kts

Diagram NOT To SCALE

B / '0600 hrs

15 kts

D / '1800 hrs
E / '0000 hrs C / '1200 hrs
20 kts

Sector 4

Sector 3

H4/'1800
15 Kts
Sector 2

H3/'1200
12 Kts
Safety sectors are drawn with 40 degrees on both sides
of the Track. It is a mere Thumb Rule on assumptions
that storm will not alter more than 40 degrees without
being detected.

H2/'0600
10 Kts
Sector 1

H1 / '0000
6 Kts

Storm Moving NW-N-NE

 Master’s obligaDon as per SOLAS
Sample Messages
• Tropical cyclone
• TTT STORM. 0030 UTC. AUGUST 18. 2004 N, 11354 E. BAROMETER
CORRECTED 994 MILLIBARS, TENDENCY DOWN 6 MILLIBARS. WIND
NW, FORCE 9, HEAVY SQUALLS. HEAVY EASTERLY SWELL. COURSE 067,
5 KNOTS.
• TTT STORM. APPEARANCES INDICATE APPROACH OF HURRICANE.
1300 UTC. SEPTEMBER 14. 2200 N, 7236 W. BAROMETER CORRECTED
29.64 INCHES, TENDENCY DOWN .015 INCHES. WIND NE, FORCE 8,
FREQUENT RAIN SQUALLS. COURSE 035, 9 KNOTS.
• TTT STORM. CONDITIONS INDICATE INTENSE CYCLONE HAS FORMED.
0200 UTC. MAY 4. 1620 N, 9203 E. BAROMETER UNCORRECTED 753
MILLIMETRES, TENDENCY DOWN 5 MILLIMETRES. WIND S BY W,
FORCE 5. COURSE 300, 8 KNOTS.
• TTT STORM. TYPHOON TO SOUTHEAST. 0300 UTC. JUNE 12. 1812 N,
12605 E. BAROMETER FALLING RAPIDLY. WIND INCREASING FROM N.
• TTT STORM. WIND FORCE 11, NO STORM WARNING RECEIVED. 0300
UTC. MAY 4. 4830 N, 30 W. BAROMETER CORRECTED 983 MILLIBARS,
TENDENCY DOWN 4 MILLIBARS. WIND SW, FORCE 11 VEERING.
COURSE 260, 6 KNOTS.
 Tropical Revolving Storm

• Bye

RAJESH RAJA