Great Storm

Question 1

Date?

Answer 1

October 15th (night) and October 16th (early morning)

Question 2

What was the highest gust recorded and where?

Answer 2

122mph at Goneston Norfolk

Question 3

What was the lowest pressure recorded?

Answer 3

951mb

Question 4

What was the increase in pressure and in what time frame did it occur as the system moved north?

Answer 4

20mb in 3hrs

Question 5

When were the highest gusts recorded in London and at what time?

Answer 5

94mph between 3am and 4am

Question 6

Where did the storm first hit?

Answer 6

South coast of Cornwall and Devon

Question 7

When did the storm hit the Midlands?

Answer 7

Just after midnight

Question 8

In its final stage where did the storm reach?

Answer 8

Humber Estuary (east coast) at 5:30am

Question 9

What is this storm described as?

Answer 9

A low frequency, high intensity storm

Question 10

When did the last storm of this scale affect the UK?

Answer 10

1703

Question 11

Where did the storm develop?

Answer 11

Bay of Biscay

Question 12

What was the series of events?

Answer 12

S.W winds carrying warm,wet air from the N. Atlantic met N.E winds carrying cold air from the pole.

Depression deepened rapidly due to unusually warm sea surface temps within the bay + steep temp difference between air masses (season)

Question 13

What are the 7 causes of the Great Storm?

Answer 13

Poor forecasting 
Depression 
String Jet 
Large pressure gradient 
Time of year 
Season 
Polar jet stream

Question 14

Explain poor forecasting

Answer 14

Led to little preparation and intensified effects

Michael Fish at metoffice

Question 15

Explain depression

Answer 15

Low pressure system formed over Bay of Biscay and was rapidly deepened by unusually warm sea surface temps

Question 16

Explain ‘String Jet’

Answer 16

• Causes strength of storm to be boosted
• Cold air descends into storms high in the atmosphere
• Rain/snow falling into this jet evaporates and cools the air further
• This adds more energy
• Stronger winds

Term only came into use after 1987

Question 17

Explain large pressure gradient

Answer 17

Large temp difference meant large pressure gradient and a faster flow of air

Question 18

Explain time of year

Answer 18

Winter = N.pole receives less insolation whilst equator still receives large amounts. Caused temp difference and therefore large pressure gradient

Question 19

Explain season

Answer 19

Autumn = broadleaf trees still had leaves meaning more damage to forests

Question 20

Explain polar jet stream

Answer 20

Further south than normal meaning depression formed over N. France and S. England rather than Scotland

Question 21

What were the ST social impacts?

Answer 21

• London = blacked out for 6 hours
• Suffolk = 360 schools closed
• Roads closed
• 18 killed (Br) 4 killed (Fr)
• 150+ injured
• Dover port closed
• Fire brigade = 6000 calls in 24 hours
• Gatwick airport was closed
• Falling debris + trees damaged 3 million houses/buildings

Question 22

What were the LT social impacts?

Answer 22

• National grid sustained heavy damage

- Several thousand were left without power for 2 weeks

Question 23

What were the ST environmental impacts?

Answer 23

• 15 million trees blown down

- Some areas lost 97% trees - loss of habitat for some + creation of habitat for others

Question 24

What were the LT environmental impacts?

Answer 24

• Some plants benefitted as more light was able to reach the forest floor (less canopy albedo) meant they could grow
• A number of wild boars escaped and have since bred and established pops in woods across S.Eng

Question 25

What were the ST economic impacts?

Answer 25

• Temporary price drop of hardwoods
• Trees meant roads/ transport links were closed and people were unable to reach work
• Very few deals struck on exchange/ money market as many were unable to travel to London

Question 26

What were the LT economic impacts?

Answer 26

• Cost insurers 2 billion
• Damage to houses/ cars cost money for individuals and insurers
• Shanklin pier was destroyed meaning loss of employment and income for area (tourist attraction)
• Premiums increased next year

Question 27

What was the ST national response?

Answer 27

• Mass media coverage - London
• 01:35 am = Metoffice issued warning to ministry of defence
• Emergency services dealt with 4 months worth of calls in one night
• Emergency services were warned

Question 28

What as the LT national response?

Answer 28

• Metoffice