Urban Climate

Question 1

Urban climate

Answer 1

A set of climatic conditions that prevail in urban areas which differ from rural surrounding

Question 2

Albedo

Answer 2

The reflectivity of a surface
The amount of light that is reflected off the surface

Question 3

Anticyclonic

Answer 3

High atmosphere pressure - fine weather, Dry, calm conditions

Question 4

Urban dome

Answer 4

This is the area which the weather is different from that of surrounding rural areas

Question 5

Photochemical pollution

Answer 5

A form of air pollution that occurs in cities and can be dangerous to health
Exhaust fumes get trapped

Question 6

Urban heat island effect

Answer 6

The zone around and above an urban areas which has higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas

Question 7

Cause of the urban heat island effect

Answer 7

Urban surfaces have a lower albedo
Air pollution
Heat from human activity
Less evapotranspiration

Question 8

Precipitation in urban areas

Answer 8

It rains more often in urban areas, more intense and more thunderstorms
- warm air can hold more water
- Lower pressure because of hot air rising
- lots of water vapour from industries and power stations

Question 9

Fog and thunderstorms

Answer 9

Frequency of fog is much greater due to higher concentration of condensation nuclei
Higher temperatures of urban areas increases likelihood of thunderstorms by 25%

Question 10

Frost and snow

Answer 10

Does not happen very often due to temperatures
If happens the snow melts faster

Question 11

Wind

Answer 11

Average wind speed is slower as building break wind and slows it down
Turbulence happens around building
Powerful gusts of wind happen when it is channelled down streets with high buildings

Question 12

Pollution reduction policies

Answer 12

Congestion charges
Improvements in public transport
Restricting car use
Car sharing