Unit 1A - Weather Hazards - Global atmospheric circulation and tropical storms

Question 1

What are winds caused by and what is this caused by? Where do winds move from and to?

Answer 1

Winds are caused by differences in air pressure which are caused by differences in temperature between equator and poles. They move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

Question 2

How is low pressure and huge cumulonimbus clouds created at the surface of the equator?

Answer 2

Land heated and hot air rises through atmosphere in thermals at Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, creating low pressure at surface and huge cumulonimbus clouds as air cools

Question 3

How is high pressure created at 30˚N/S of equator?

Answer 3

Hot air from equator rises and heads N/S of equator, cooling and then sinking to surface at approximately 30˚N/S, giving high pressure and air goes back to equator as trade winds

Question 4

Pressures at equator, 30˚N/S, 60˚N/S and 90˚N/S?

Answer 4

Equator - low
30˚N/S - high
60˚N/S - low
90˚N/S - high

Question 5

Name of all 3 cells and which latitudes they are between?

Answer 5

Hadley cell - 0˚ and 30˚N/S
Ferrell cell - 30˚N/S and 60˚N/S
Polar cell - 60˚N/S and 90˚N/S

Question 6

Difference between trade winds and westerlies?

Answer 6

Trade winds are surface winds blowing towards equator whilst westerlies are surface winds blowing towards poles

Question 7

What are tropical storms and where do they occur?

Answer 7

Intense low pressure weather systems with heavy winds and strong winds that spiral around centre. Most occur between tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Question 8

Weather conditions in eye of storm?

Answer 8

Calm conditions, no cloud or rain, low pressure as air rapidly descends here

Question 9

Weather in outer wall?

Answer 9

Strongest winds and heaviest rain found here

Question 10

What does temperature of ocean have to be for tropical storm to form?

Answer 10

27˚C

Question 11

What happens to warm moist air over oceans?

Answer 11

Rises, cools and condenses, forming clouds

Question 12

What is released as air is condensed which powers storm?

Answer 12

Latent heat

Question 13

What are weather conditions associated with tropical storms?

Answer 13

Strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge

Question 14

What happens when tropical storm reaches land?

Answer 14

Loss of warm moist air and friction with land slows it down

Question 15

Global atmospheric circulation definition?

Answer 15

Worldwide system of winds, which transport to polar latitudes

Question 16

3 ways climate change may affect tropical storms?

Answer 16

• Increase in global temperatures will cause more of oceans to be more than27˚C
• Oceans will stay at 27˚C for longer so more tropical storms
• Higher temperatures mean tropical storms will be stronger