Weather hazards

Question 1

What is atmospheric circulation?

Answer 1

The general movements of air around the Earth due to pressure and temperature

Question 2

What are the characteristics of the Hadley cell?

Answer 2

Hot air rises at the equator, creating a low pressure belt. The intensity of the sun’s rays lead to rapid rising or air and huge cumulonimbus clouds

Surface winds move towards the equator whilst high winds move away from the equator and descend around 30°N

Question 3

What is the Hadley’s cell’s influence on climate?

Answer 3

Surface winds bring moisture to the equator. This rises and then it rains (convectional rain-fall)

Question 4

What are the characteristics of the Ferrell Cell?

Answer 4

Air sinks at 30°N, creating high pressure. Surface winds move outwards towards the poles

Question 5

What is the Ferrell cell’s influence on climate?

Answer 5

Air descends at 30°N. It warms=dry, arid conditions

As air rises at 60°N. It creates rain clouds

Question 6

What are the characteristics of polar cells?

Answer 6

Air sinks at the poles creating a high pressure belt. Surface winds move away from the poles which gradually warm and rise at 60°N

Question 7

What is the Polar cell’s influence on climate?

Answer 7

Air descends at the poles meaning, cold, dry conditions. Cold air has limited ability to hold water vapour

Question 8

What are some of factors needed for tropical storms?

Answer 8

Temperature
Wind shear
Rotation
Air pressure

Question 9

Why is temperature important for a tropical storm?

Answer 9

Ocean temperatures must be around 26°C-27°C and at least 50 metres deep. Warm water provides the storm with energy. this is why storms form during late summer, when the ocean has had time to heat up

Question 10

Why is air pressure important for a tropical storm?

Answer 10

Tropical storms must be in areas of unstable air pressure. This is usually where areas of high pressure and low pressure meet-so that warm air rises more readily and clouds can form (this air must also be humid for cloud formation) Warm air rises because it is less dense than cold air

Question 11

Why is wind shear important for a tropical storm?

Answer 11

Winds must be present for the swirling motion to form, but not too strong or the storm system will be ripped apart in the early stages

Question 12

Why is rotation important for a tropical storm?

Answer 12

Tropical storms only form around the equator (5°-15°) but tropical storms will not form on the equator.

The Coriolis effect is the effect of the Earth’s rotation on weather events. The storm spins because the Earth is spinning; but there is no Coriolis Effect at the equator, hence why these storms will only form a certain distance away from it

Question 13

Describe the formation of tropical storms?

Answer 13

-Sun sends incoming solar radiation to Earth which warms our oceans to 27°C

This causes warm air to rise. This gives low pressure at the centre of the storm

This air cools as it rises causing condensation to occur, clouds to form and rain to occur

Some cooled air sinks back down helping to create the eye

Air rushes in from higher pressure areas outside of the storm to lower pressure areas at the centre of the storm creating winds

The whole storm rotates because of the Earth’s spin (Coriolis effect)

Question 14

When did Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines and how strong was it?

Answer 14

7th November 2013

Category 5 super typhoon

Question 15

How many people died in Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 15

6,300 (many claim this figure to be higher)

Question 16

How many people were displaced as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 16

Over 600,000

Question 17

How many homes were damaged or destroyed in Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 17

40,000

Question 18

As well as the storm surge, what were the other primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 18

Heavy winds destroyed buildings, power lines, crops and other infrastructure

Heavy rain (over 400mm) causing flooding

Question 19

How many people lost their source of income due to Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 19

6 million

Question 20

How did Typhoon Haiyan affect health?

Answer 20

There were major shortages of water and shelter

The outbreak of disease was feared due to poor sanitation conditions in shelters and overwhelming amounts of dead bodies

Question 21

What other secondary effects did flooding have after Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 21

Triggered landslides, which blocked roads and slowed relief efforts

Question 22

How did international aid organisation respond to Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 22

They brought food, water, aid supplies and temporary shelters to support those affected

Question 23

How many evacuation centres were set up to help the homeless during Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 23

1,200

Question 24

How did the UNDP support locals whilst also funding the clean-up process after Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 24

They set up cash-for-work schemes which paid villagers to clear debris and medical waste

Question 25

How have fishing and agricultural sectors recovered from Typhoon Haiyan in the long term?

Answer 25

Fishing boats donated by organisations like Oxfam supported the fishing sector.

Rice farming and fishing was quickly re-established

Question 26

What was another long term strategy put in place after Typhoon Haiyan to reduce risk?

Answer 26

More cyclone shelters are being built.

Homes are being built away from vulnerable areas

Question 27

What are the Somerset levels?

Answer 27

An area of low-lying coastal plains and wetlands in the south-west UK, located in the county of Somerset

Question 28

What were the 3 main causes of the Somerset Levels floods?

Answer 28

Heavy and Prolonged rain

High tides and storm surges caused higher river levels

Lack of dredging reduced river capacity

Question 29

How many homes were flooded and how many farms had to be evacuated during the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 29

Over 600 homes and 16 farms

Question 30

What was the estimated cost of damage from the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 30

£10 million

Question 31

How was agricultural land affected during the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 31

A lot of agricultural land was flooded-over 14,000 ha of agricultural land was underwater for 3-4 weeks

Question 32

Why were some people left stranded during the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 32

Some villages, such as Moorland, were completely cut off by flood water

Question 33

How did the Somerset levels floods affect the environment?

Answer 33

Floodwater transported sewage, chemicals and debris to other areas and affected the Levels ecosystems

Question 34

How was stagnant water dealt with after the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 34

Water had to be reoxygenated before being pumped back into the river

Question 35

What is the 20-year plan that aims to manage and reduce risk in Somerset called?

Answer 35

The Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan

Question 36

How much money did the UK government promise to give to help with repairs after the Somerset levels floods?

Answer 36

At least £30 million

Question 37

What were some of the immediate responses during the Somerset levels floods

Answer 37

Rescue boats were deployed to help stranded people

Extra police patrols in response to more reports of crime

Question 38

Suggest why the UK’s weather might be becoming more extreme?

Answer 38

There have been several extreme weather events since 2000

Heatwave in 2003, heavy snowfall in 2009 and 2010 and Somerset Level Floods in 2014. These have all broken weather records which highlight the extreme nature of these events for the UK

May be linked to climate change (mor e intense weather events)

The atmospheric circulation models may be affected by warming temperatures (floods to dry areas and heatwaves in cool areas)