Atmospheric Systems: Extreme Cold in the USA, 2014 Flashcards
1
Q
What happened? (6)
A
- Formed December 1st 2013, until April 10th 2014.
- Unusually cold winter, affecting parts of Canada and Eastern USA.
- Event consisted of two episodes, both caused by southward shifts of the North Pole Vortex - large scale cyclone.
- Unexpected so under prepared.
- January 7th, temp in NYC was -16 degrees.
- Parts of Canada hit lows of below -40 degrees!
2
Q
What were the SOCIO-ECONOMIC impacts? (9)
A
- Business, school and road closures.
- Mass flight cancellations.
- Altogether more than 200 million people were affected.
- All forms of transport seriously affected.
- Many power companies asked their customers to conserve electricity.
- $50 to $100 million was lost by airlines which cancelled a total of 20,000 flights.
- Impact calculated at $5 billion.
- 21 deaths related to the cold.
- 24,000 residents lost power.
3
Q
What were the responses? (6)
A
- Some restaurants and convenience stores offered delivery services, therefore helping boost their income and help those in need.
- Due to train cancellations, buses were used as an alternative form of transport.
- Govt. issued snow emergency, prohibiting all non-essential travel as well as closing down non-essential government offices.
- Schools closed.
- Roads closed to public.
- Toronto issued Extreme Cold weather alerts and Ottawa issued a Frostbite alert which both open up additional shelter spaces for the homeless.
4
Q
When was the anticyclone?
A
December 1st 2013 to April 10th 2014
5
Q
What was it caused by?
A
Southward shifts of the North Pole Vortex
6
Q
What were the temperature lows?
A
- January 7th, temp in NYC was -16 degrees.
- Parts of Canada hit lows of below -40 degrees!
7
Q
How many people were affected?
A
200 million
8
Q
How much money was lost by airlines?
A
$50 to $100 million
9
Q
How many flights were cancelled?
A
20,000
10
Q
How much were the overall impact costs?
A
$5 billion
11
Q
How many deaths?
A
21
12
Q
How many people lost power?
A
24,000
