(R) Extreme weather causing flooding Flashcards
Describe the weather that led to the floods in Italy.
(caused by an anticyclone)
from June-August the weather had been extremely hot
some parts of Italy were 2-3 degrees hotter than average for the time of year
the ground had been baked hard, and in early 2003 only 50% of the normal amount of rain fell in the affected areas
there was 3-6 hours of prolonged rainfall
the rain was unable to infiltrate into the ground causing surface run off
the rivers gained a lot of water in a very short time
Name 6 facts about the floods in Italy
2003
- hot weather from June - August
- some parts of Italy 2-3 degrees hotter than average for the time of year
- in early 2003 only 50% of the usual rain had fallen
- there was 3 to 6 hours of prolonged rainfall
- caused by an anticyclone
Describe the weather that led to the floods in the UK
there was a lot of rain in a short time, Honister pass, Cumbria had 341.1 mm of rain in 24 hours (a new UK record)
the ground become saturated by water, stopping infiltration
this increased river discharge by a large amount, causing floods
high winds were caused by the storm, High Bradfield in South Yorkshire had gusts up to 77 mph
the highest gust recorded was 81 mph in Capel Curig, Gywnedd
Other areas of the country had heavy rainfall - Tyndrum, Perthshire had 141 mm of rainfall
Name 6 facts about the flooding in the UK
- caused by a depression
- 2015
- Honister pass, Cumbria recorded 341.4 mm of rain in 24 hours (new UK record)
- High Bradfield, South Yorkshire had gusts up to 77 mph
- highest gust recorded was 81 mph in Capel Curig, Gwynedd
- Tyndrum, Perthshire had 141mm of rainfall
Why did the Italy floods happen?
- the ground was baked hard
- no rain could infiltrate
- 3-6 hours of rainfall
-if the rain had been able to infiltrate, the water would have taken longer to reach the river, decreasing the risk of flooding
What were the floods in Italy caused by?
an anticyclone
What is an anticyclone?
an area of high pressure
air is falling
it brings hot weather in summer, and bright frosty weather in winter
- few clouds
- light winds
- hot
- sunny
- morning dew
What were the floods in the UK caused by?
a depression
What is a depression?
an area of low pressure
air is rising
it brings unsettled weather with:
- strong winds
- thick clouds
- rain
- storms
What did the UK floods cause?
- £500 million of damage
- 45,000 lost power
- 5,200 homes were flooded
- 1,000 homes without electricity for <4 days
- 50 miles of road diversions
