Extreme Weather

Question 1

What is Convectional rainfall?

Answer 1

The sun heats the ground; which heats the air
Warm air rises (convection currents)
As air rises it cools and condenses, causing rain

Question 2

What is relief rainfall?

Answer 2

Wind moves the air
When the air meets high ground it is forced to rise upwards.
As it rises it cools, causing rain

Question 3

What is frontal rainfall?

Answer 3

Big air masses move around the earth
When warm air meets cold, it is forced to rise up over the cold air.
This causes condensation and rain

Question 4

Causes of flooding?

Answer 4

Short periods of heavy rain.
Raining for a long period of time.
Steep land (hills)
Urbanisation (building towns, houses, roads)
Deforestation - cutting down trees

Question 5

What are the effects of flooding?

Answer 5

Death/drowning
Peoples homes flooded; cant live there anymore
High cost of repairing damage
Crops damaged - food shortages
Businesses have to close - loss of income
Disease from stagnant water
Damage to bridges/roads/infrastructure

Question 6

How does a hurricane form?

Answer 6

The warm ocean heats the air above
Rising warm air evaporates and starts to spin
The air then cools and condenses to form a towering cumulonimbus cloud
Intense low pressure sucks in air, causing very strong winds

Question 7

Effects of hurricane Katrina 1

Answer 7

1,800 people died 
300,000 homes were destroyed 
3mill were left with no electricity
$300 bill of damage 
oil platforms were destroyed 
Fuel prices rose
Tourism decreased

Question 8

Effects of hurricane Katrina 2

Answer 8

The storm surge flooded large areas
80% of New Orleans flooded as man made levees
Cotton and sugar cane crops were destroyed
Tornadoes were created
Delicate coastal habitats were destroyed

Question 9

Causes of drought in the uk

Answer 9

Long periods of high pressure/temperature
Land use - lots of water being used in homes/industry and agriculture
High population density - lots of people living in a location means the use lots of water

Question 10

Cause of drought in Niger

Answer 10

Wet and dry season - the wet season is unreliable rain might not come
too many crops exhaust the soil leading to ‘desertification’
collection of firewood

Question 11

Effects of drought in the uk

Answer 11

Encourage people to use less water - hosepipe bans, campaigns
Less crops produced - less money for farmers; food costs more
Prices might be put up on water

Question 12

Effects of drought in Niger

Answer 12

Drought and famine - crop failure, livestock deaths
Huger and death
Relying on charities and aid to provide food

Question 13

Different types of rainfall

Answer 13

Convectional
Relief
frontal

Question 14

What year was hurricane Katrina?

Answer 14

2005

Question 15

What heat is need for a hurricane to form?

Answer 15

Hurricanes need at least 26 degrees to form