3.8 Extreme Weather Hazards In The UK Flashcards
1
Q
Extreme weather def
A
When the weather is especially severe or out of season, and is clearly different to the usual weather pattern
2
Q
How does the UK get a variety of weather
A
Different air masses crossing the UK
3
Q
What kind of weather do depressions (low-pressure weather systems) bring to the UK
A
Heavy rain and strong winds
4
Q
What are possible impacts of storm events?
A
- flood and wind damage to properties
- trees uprooted, causing further damage
- power supplies down
- disruption to transport
- death
5
Q
What causes flash flooding?
A
Torrential rainstorms and thunderstorms
6
Q
What are the possible impacts of flooding?
A
- crops ruined
- damage to home, businesses and possessions
- death by drowning
- recovery is often expensive
- landslides
7
Q
What are droughts and heatwaves defined as?
A
- long periods with little or no rainfall
- in the UK, defined as 15 or more consecutive days with less than 0.2 mm of rain on any one day
8
Q
Impacts of droughts and heatwaves
A
- crop production fails and wildlife is affected
- reservoirs run low, reducing water supplies
- hosepipe bans enforced
- elderly vulnerable to heat exhaustion - possible death
- roads can melt and railway lines can buckle
- tourism industry may benefit
9
Q
When do extremely cold conditions occur?
A
When depressions are not passing over the UK
10
Q
Impacts of extremely cold weather
A
- crops fail and cattle may not survive at -10 degrees
- roads, railways and airlines shut
- increased injuries caused by falling on snow and ice
- businesses and schools shut
