Weather And Climate Case Studies- The Great Storm Flashcards
1
Q
Where?
A
The UK and France
2
Q
What?
A
Severe temperate storm
Hit South Cornwall/Devon after midnight
3
Q
When
A
15th October 1987
4
Q
Why?
A
Caused by depression, rapid falling of air pressure
5
Q
Why?
A
Depression began over Bay of Biscay
Deepened due to warm sea temps, steep temp gradient between 2 air masses
6
Q
Why?
A
Centre pressure low, strengthened winds
Polar jet stream further south-formed over N France/N England, not Scotland
7
Q
Wind speeds
A
136km per he
8
Q
Impacts
A
22 deaths
Power/phone lines knocked down-150,000 homes affected
Buildings destroyed-1 million
9
Q
Impacts
A
£1.4 billion insurance claims
Transport disrupted
Gatwick closed
Boats wrecked
10
Q
Responses
A
Lots of emergency calls
Phone companies repaired equipment
Roads cleared
11
Q
Responses
A
Warning only 3 hrs before
Improved forecast of weather
