Describe how local and global wind patterns can lead to cyclonic storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

Cyclonic storms are caused when large air masses of different temperature and densities meet. As the warmer air mass of lower density rises and the cooler air descents, a weather front is formed. Coriolis effect causes the front to start spinning to form a funnel. In a tropical storm, the biggest ‘fuel’ is water vapor from the oceans. As the water vapor rises and condenses, the water releases latent heat and warms the surrounding air. This causes a low-pressure system and cooler air masses begin to move to the region of low pressure as the warm air ascends. The spiraling beigns and a tropical storm is formed.