Severe weather events and floods

Question 1

what is an atmospheric river

Answer 1

atmospheric rivers are regions in the atmosphere in which water vapour is transported in high concentrations

Question 2

where are atmospheric rivers found

Answer 2

extra-tropics

Question 3

what are atmospheric rivers associated with

Answer 3

storms in which the winds associated with the storms draw moisture into a narrow region just ahead of the cold front

Question 4

what is a jet stream

Answer 4

The jet stream consists of ribbons of very strong winds which move weather systems around the globe.

Question 5

how high are jet streams found

Answer 5

9-16km

Question 6

Explain how El Niño can affect severe weather in places remote from the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Answer 6

El Niño affects weather globally through teleconnections. The warm waters in the equatorial Pacific pump more moisture locally into the air which can affect rainfall and storms over a wider area and, in turn, can affect the upper level winds that move weather around the globe.

Question 7

Describe one example of severe weather related to El Niño.

Answer 7

Drought can occur in regions where seasonally high rainfall is shifted away (e.g., eastern Australia, Indonesia, and India). Similarly, regions where high rainfall is shifted towards them could experience flooding and storm damage (e.g., south-east China and Argentina).

Question 8

How is precipitation expected to change under global warming?

Answer 8

Global precipitation is expected to increase with heavy precipitation becoming more intense and the frequency of dry days increasing

Question 9

How might the changes in precipitation due to global warming effect severe weather and flooding

Answer 9

Regionally, there will be both increases and decreases in precipitation because climate change is expected to change the atmospheric circulations that drive weather and precipitation. The location, frequency and severity of both drought and floods will be affected by global warming.

Question 10

What is a storm surge?

Answer 10

A storm surge is particularly large rise in sea level caused by a storm, through changes in wind and atmospheric pressure, and frequently made more severe by tidal conditions. Storm surges can cause extensive flooding.