Unit 2 - Extreme Weather Flashcards
Anti-Cyclone
They are an area of high atmospheric pressure where (cold) air is sinking, meaning there are no clouds or rainfall due to the air sinking and not rising. Seen on a satellite with no cloud cover.
El Nino
When the sea surface temperature is higher than average causing extreme weather events.
ITCZ
Inter-tropical convergence zone, band of low pressure, characterised by warm, moist air which produces huge clouds and frequent thunderstorms. - blocks the high pressure and brings rain
Hadley Cell
Warm air rises at the equator causing thunderstorms moving north and then sinks at the Sahel (during the summer and brings drought). Brings both wet and dry seasons.
NGO
Non-governmental organisations such as Oxfam, work in regions such as the Sahel to help people and reduce the impacts.
Reforestation/Afforestation
Planting more plants and more trees.
Desertification
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought.
Polyculture
Using multiple crops in the same space.
Monoculture
Producing/growing a single crop in a field at a time.
Enset (False Banana)
Drought resistant crop that is grown in places such as Ethiopia. Can survive up to 7 years without rain, the leaves are full of water and can hold it for years.
Natural Causes of Wildfire
- Lightning
- Volcanic Eruptions
- Drought
Human Causes of Wildfire
- Campfires
- Glass
- Fireworks
- Cigarettes
- Electricity Wires
Quasi-Natural Hazard
Sometimes natural/sometimes human influenced.
Smokey Bear
Used to educate and inform people on how to safely put out wildfires.
How many people were affected in the Californian wildfire?
13,000 residents, as 24 fires raged across the state.
What was the insured costs of the Californian wildfire?
$8.5 billion in insured costs.
What are the five main air masses that affect the UK?
- Polar Continental
- Polar Maritime
- Tropical Continental
- Tropical Maritime
- Arctic
They all bring different weather conditions.
Synoptic Charts
Used to identify weather patterns, they show:
- Surface pressure
- Areas of high pressure (anticyclone)
- Areas of low pressure (depressions)
Isobars
Lines that join areas of equal pressure, close together in a depression and more widely spaced in an anticyclone.
Preciptitation
Rain, snow, sleet and hail (any water falling from the sky)
Interception
Leaves stopping the water from reaching the ground straight away - reducing the speed that it gets to the ground.
Evaportranspiration
Water turning into gas.
Inflitration
Water seeping into the top layer of the soil.
Surface Runoff
Water flowing across the surface.
Through Flow
Water running through the soil into the river.
Lagtime
The difference between peak rainfall and peak discharge.
What wind speed classifies a hurricane?
74mph
What sea depth is a hurricane?
60m
What does the temperature of the ocean need to be for a hurricane to form?
26.5 degrees
Supercell
A large slow moving area of updraft and downdraft which causes violent thunderstorms, heavy hail and tornadoes.
What classifies tornadoes?
The fujita tornado intensity scale
Jet Stream
Ribbon of air, moves from the west of the Atlantic, depending on the position of the jet stream depends on the weather we receive. American weather conditions travel over through the jet stream.
