weather hazards Flashcards
what cells are next to the equator
Hadley cells
which cells are between 30 and 60
ferrel cells
which cells are at 90
polar cells
what is a high pressure weather system
-when air sinks
-dry and clear skies
what is a low pressure weather system
-when air rises
- clouds and rain
why do surface winds bend
the Coriolis effect
which way do surface winds bend in each hemisphere
right in the northern hemisphere and left in southern hemisphere
how are tropical storms distributed
along the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
how do tropical storms form
-air is heated above the surface of warm tropical oceans
-warm air rises rapidly under low pressure conditions
-strong winds form as rising air draws up more air and moisture
-the rising air spins around a calm eye due to Coriolis effect
-rising air cools and condenses forming cumulonimbus clouds and rain
-heat is given off, powering the storm
-storm travels across the ocean with the prevailing winds
-when it meets land it looses its energy source
conditions that cause tropical storms
-ocean temp 27 degrees or higher
-low latitudes
which direction do storms spin
anticlockwise in northern hemisphere and clockwise in southern
how does climate change affect distribution of tropical storms
no. of storms in south America and subtropics could increase due to an increase in sea temp
how does climate change affect frequency of tropical storms
category 4 and 5 will increase, 1-3 will decrease
how does climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms
every 1 degree increase in sea temp, 3-5% increase in wind speeds, intensity is increasing
what was typhoon Haiyan
typhoon in the Philippines in 2013, category 5
primary effects of typhoon Haiyan
-4.1 million homeless
-$12 billion damages
-6,190 died
-1.1 million tonnes of crops destroyed
secondary effects of typhoon Haiyan
-infections and disease spread
-rice prices rose by 12%
-flooding caused landslides
-ten hectares of mangroves contaminated by oil leak
immediate responses to typhoon Haiyan
-televised evacuation warning
-1,200 evacuation centres set up
-1 million food packs, 250,000 lites of water
long-term responses to Typhoon Haiyan
-$1.5 billion pledged in foreign aid
-no-build zone, avoids homes being built in flood risk areas
-storm surge warning system installed
-cyclone shelters built
how can the effects of tropical storms be reduced by monitoring
-satellites monitor cloud patterns associated with tropical storms
-global precipitation measurement satellite monitors rainclouds, indicates whether a tropical storm will intensify within 24 hours
how can the effects of tropical storms be reduced by predication
-computers give 5 days warning and predict a location within 400 km
-early warnings are issued by national hurricane centres around the world
how can the effects of tropical storms be reduced by protection
-reinforce buildings , mitigating damage
-develop coastal flood defences
-create no-build zones in low-lying areas
how can the effects of tropical storms be reduced by planning
-disaster supply kits
-ensure vehicles are fuelled
-know where evacuation shelters are
flooding in the UK
-caused by heavy rainfall or storm waves
-ruins crops
-damage to homes
-drowning
-recovery is expensive
-landslides
droughts and heatwaves in the UK
-15 or more consecutive days with less than 0.2 mm of rain in one day
-crop production fails
-reservoirs run low
-hosepipe ban enforced
storm events in the UK
-depressions (low-pressure weather systems) bring heavy rain and strong winds
-flood and wind damage to property
-trees uprooted
-power supplies down
extreme cold weather in the UK
-crops fail
-cattle may not survive
-roads and railways shut
-increased injuries (snow and ice)
causes of Storm Jude
-depression forming along the polar front
-moved east, helped by strong jet-stream
when was storm Jude
-October 2013
social effects of storm jude
-4 deaths
-transport chaos
-power cuts to 850,000 homes
-blocked roads
environmental effects of storm Jude
-10 million trees knocked down
-147 flood alerts issued
economic effects of storm Jude
-£500 million damages
-5 train companies cancelled trains
-130 Heathrow flights cancelled
immediate responses to storm Jude
-warnings broadcast
-emergency services effective
long term responses to storm jude
-power restored to majority of homes within a week
-met office improve models for more accurate and longer forecasts
evidence the uk weather is become more extreme - temperature
-December 2010, coldest on record
-highest temp, 2003
