Hazards: Atmospheric Hazards Flashcards
What factors effect a place’s climate?
latitude, continentality, altitude
What is global atmospheric circulation?
movement of air around the world transferring heat
Warm air rises creating…
low pressure
What weather conditions is low pressure associated with?
rain, cloud and unsettled conditions
Why is low pressure associated with rainfall?
as when air rises, it then cools and condenses to form rainclouds
Is the equator a low or high pressure area?
low
When air moves from high to low pressure in a convection current it is called…
pressure belts (e.g. Hadley cell)
When air moves along the surface of the earth from areas of high to low pressure it is called…
surface winds
Rainforests are located…
on the equator
Why are deserts located just above the equator?
as cool air sinks creating a belt of high pressure - warm and dry air
What is insolation of the sun at the equator?
high levels as the rays are spread out over a smaller area
Air moves from an area of…
HIGH TO LOW PRESSURE
What conditions are required for tropical storms?
-ocean temp above 27C
-low wind shear
-ocean depth over 60m
-low latitudes
Why do tropical storms require low latitudes?
temp is higher, sea and air are heated more quickly - low air pressure, air rises, Coriolis effect is strong enough for storms to spin
Why is ocean depth and temp important for tropical storms?
provides heat and moisture (more evaporation), powers storm
Why is low wind shear important for tropical storms?
wind is constant - so clouds can rise to high altitudes without being torn apart
What are the 9 steps to a tropical storm formation?
- air heated above warms oceans
- warm air RISES rapidly creating LOW PRESSURE
- winds created as rising air draws up air + moisture
- air starts to spin due to Coriolis effect
- air cools and condenses forming large clouds
- heat is given off as air cools
- cold air sinks in the centre, creating a calm eye
- storm travels across the ocean with prevailing wind
- at landfall it loses energy + no evaporation occurs
How can we monitor tropical storms?
satellites - Global Precipitation measurement satellite monitors high altitude rainclouds every 3 hours
How can we protect from tropical storms?
‘no build zones’, reinforce buildings, develop coastal flood defences
How can we plan against tropical storms?
disaster supply kits, educate locals on evacuation shelters, ensure all vehicles are fuelled
How can we predict tropical storms?
supercomputers give 5 days warning within 400km, national hurricane centres issue warnings, track forecast cones plot predicted path
What is extreme weather?
a weather event which is significantly different from the usual weather pattern - uneasonal
What weather hazards do the UK experience?
flooding, droughts + heatwaves, storm events, extremes of cold weathers
Why did the Beast from the East occur?
air blowing over North sea picked up moisture and brought snow
What were the impacts of the Beast from the East?
4 deaths, up to 19 inches of snow in uplands, over 8000 road accidents
What management strategies reduced the risk of BFTE?
met office released warnings, Cleveland mountain rescue, council gritted roads
