Theme 5 - Weather patterns and processes

Question 1

Tropical storm?

Answer 1

a severe low-pressure weather system which develops over tropical maritime areas.

Question 2

Drought?

Answer 2

a lack of precipitation in an area for a long period of time leading to a shortage of water.

Question 3

What is low pressure and what weather hazards does it create?

Answer 3

rising air leads to low pressure. Creates fast winds and heavy rainfall, causing tropical storms and flooding.

Question 4

What is high pressure and what weather hazards does it create?

Answer 4

descending air leads to high pressure. Creates light winds and dry weather, causing drought and heatwaves.

Question 5

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

Answer 5

a zone of convergence at the equator where trade winds meet.

Question 6

How do tropical storms (also known as hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones) form?

Answer 6

they from over tropical seas when sea temperatures are above 27degrees. The warm water heats the air above which rises rapidly, creating an area of low pressure.

Question 7

What do tropical storms cause? (2)

Answer 7

.heavy rainfall - can cause severe flooding
.high winds and low pressure generate large waves and storm surges - can cause flooding in coastal areas

Question 8

Heatwave?

Answer 8

an extended period of hot weather where temps are above average for two or more days.

Question 9

Where in the recent decades have the most severe droughts been located in? (state at least 2)

Answer 9

.Australia
.South America - Brazil
.Africa - south of Sahara Desert
.Asia - areas of China and India
.The Mediterranean

Question 10

What are droughts the result of?

Answer 10

.a lack of rainfall
.an environment, soil or bedrock which is poor at storing and retaining water
.hot weather which increases evaporation of water

Question 11

Temperature maritime climate?

Answer 11

characterised by the absence of extreme climatic condition, with frequent rainfall but not extreme.

Question 12

Jet stream?

Answer 12

a narrow zone of high-speed winds, typically found around 30,000 feet high in the atmosphere, which drives global weather patterns.

Question 13

Air masses?

Answer 13

large volumes of air with the same temperature and humidity throughout.

Question 14

What factors affect climate in the UK?

Answer 14

.latitiude - north has cooler temps than south
.altitude - mountain areas have colder temps
.aspect (direction the area is facing) - south-facing slopes are warmer
.the position of the jet steam and its effect on the movement of air masses

Question 15

How do these maritime and continental climates affect the UK (what type of weather do they bring)?
1.north-westerly bringing polar maritime air
2.south-westerly bringing tropical maritime air
3.south-easterly bringing tropical continental air
4.easterly bringing polar continental air
5.northerly bring Arctic air

Answer 15

1.cool and showery
2.mild and wet
3.hot and dry
4.hot in summer + cold in winter
5.cold with snow in winter

Question 16

What is weather associated with low-pressure during:
1.winter?
2.summer?

Answer 16

1.snowstorms, rain, strong winds, cloudiness, temperature fluctuations
2.thunderstorms, rain, humidity, cloudiness, temperature fluctuations

Question 17

What weather is associated with high-pressure during:
1.winter?
2.summer?

Answer 17

1.clear skies, cold temperatures, light winds, fog, temperature inversions (warmer air trapped above cooler air, trapping pollutants - poor air quality)
2.clear skies, warm temperatures, dry conditions, light winds, temperature inversions, heatwaves