UK Hazards Flashcards
Name weather hazards in the UK
Snow and ice, rain, hailstorms and thunderstorms, drought, heatwaves and wind
How is snow and ice dangerous in the UK?
People can slip, potentially causing head injuries. Also, homeless people are vulnerable to the cold and many die every winter
What happens when there is too much snow or it is a harsh winter in the UK?
Businesses, such as schools and transport lines, are forced to shut down and crops can die, causing food shortages
What happens if there is too much rain?
Flooding, people trapped in their homes, damaged infrastructure and drowning
What is an economic impact of flooding?
Repairing is expensive and houses vulnerable to flooding are almost impossible to insure
What are the impacts of hailstorms in the the UK?
Hail falling can potentially break windows and reduce visibility on roads, causing injuries
What is a drought?
When an area doesn’t get enough precipitation
What are the effects of a drought?
Water supplies and reservoirs dry up, meaning a lack of drinking water. Crop failure can happen too if there isn’t enough irrigation, creating a lower QOL and other various factors
What can the UK do to preserve water?
Install hosepipe bans
What are heatwaves?
Extended periods of hot weather
What can heatwaves lead to in the UK?
Droughts, people suffering from heat exhaustion, disrupted transport links and limited train speed
Where in the UK suffers from the strongest wind speeds?
The UK coast and upland regions of the UK
What are the effects of strong winds?
Cancelled trains and flights and falling trees
What are strong winds also known as?
Gales
