Module 1- Weather

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Thermometer

Degrees Celsius

Question 2

Rainfall

Answer 2

Rain Gauge

Millimetres

Question 3

Wind Speed

Answer 3

Anemometer

Kmph / Knots

Question 4

Wind Direction

Answer 4

Wind Vane

N / S / E / W

Question 5

Cloud Cover

Answer 5

Observation

OCTAS

Question 6

Visibility

Answer 6

Observation

Metres / kilometres

Question 7

Sunshine

Answer 7

Sunshine Recorder

Hours

Question 8

Air Pressure

Answer 8

This describes the weight of the air

Question 9

High Pressure

Answer 9

This is Heavy sinking air. It brings clear, sunny, calm, settled weather, HOT IN SUMMER, but COLD AND FROSTY IN WINTER. Areas of High Pressure are called ANTI-CYCLONES

Question 10

Low Pressure

Answer 10

This is lighter rising air. It brings cloudy, windy and unsettled weather, COOL IN SUMMMER but MILD IN WINTER.

Areas of low pressure are called DEPRESSIONS

Question 11

Urban areas (Cities) such as Glasgow may be warmer than the surrounding countryside due to

Answer 11

Heating from buildings

• Heat from car engines.
• Buildings provide shelter from the wind.

Question 12

Rural areas in the countryside may be slightly cooler for the following reasons:

Answer 12

No heat from buildings or cars.

• Trees and vegetation soak up moisture and cool the area down.
• Lakes and rivers also cool the area.

Question 13

Climate

Answer 13

This describes the average weather which an area experiences over a period of around 30 yeas.

Question 14

In the North West Highlands of Scotland, the climate is cool and wet for the following reasons:

Answer 14

Latitude: It is cool because it is further North from the equator.

Prevailing Winds: It is near the Atlantic Ocean and the frequent Westerly winds blow in moist air bringing cloud and rain.

Relief: The tall mountains have cooler temperatures and more rainfall.

Question 15

In contrast the South East of England has much warmer drier weather for the following reasons:

Answer 15

Latitude: It is warmer as it is over 500miles further South, nearer the equator.

It is further from the Atlantic Ocean so is not affected by the wet westerly winds.

It has flat land with warmer temperatures and less rainfall than the mountains.

Question 16

A river will flood if it fills up too quickly after heavy rain and overflows its banks. The following factors make flooding more likely.

Answer 16

If the rainfall is particularly heavy and prolonged

• If the land around the river has few trees to soak up the rain it will run into the river quickly.
• If the land is already very wet (saturated) it cannot soak up the rain which again causes it to run into the river very quickly.
• If the river is full of sand or mud or even rubbish it may cause a blockage and it will overflow.