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Geography > Weather Hazards > Flashcards

Weather Hazards Flashcards

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1
Q

What is global atmospheric circulation

(Definitions of individual words, then combined word definition)

A

Global: Earth

Atmosphere: The air above our heads: a mass of swirling gases, liquids and solids such as carbon dioxide or oxygen, water vapour and droplets, and ash

Circulation: Circular air movements called cells. These cells join together to form the overall circulation of the Earth’s atmosphere

Global Atmospheric Circulation: The total air movement around the Earth to balance the temperature

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2
Q

What is the effect of low pressure

A

Air isn’t pressing down on the Earth

Air can rise, clouds can form, leading to rain

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3
Q

What is the effect of high pressure

A

Air is pressing down on the Earth

Air cannot rise, clouds cannot form, and the sky is clear

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4
Q

What is the tri cellar model

A

The tri-cellular model is made up of three different air masses, these control atmospheric movements and the redistribution of heat energy. The three air masses, starting from the equator, are the Hadley cell, Ferrell cell, and the Polar cell.

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5
Q

What are the types of surface winds on the Earth

A

Polar Easterlies: found in high latitudes and occur between 90 degree latitude and 60 degree latitude. They blow from the poles towards the lower latitudes

Trade winds: Found between the equator and 30 degree latitude. They blow towards the equator

Westerlies : Found between 30 degree latitude and 60 degree latitude. The winds blow towards the poles

They have a major influence on the UK weather

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6
Q

Overall review of the global circulation model

A
  1. The Polar cell is located near the North Pole. In this cell the air is a cold
    temperature and moves in an anti clockwise direction. Some air
    escapes into the Ferrell cell so it becomes warmer.
  2. The next cell is called the Ferrell cell. The air is a mild temperature and
    moves in a clockwise direction. Some air escapes into the Hadley cell (so it becomes warmer), although some air also blows north back into the Polar cell and becomes cold.
  3. The final cell is the Hadley cell which is found at the middle of the Earth
    near the equator. Air in this cell is a warm temperature because sunlight is more concentrated here.
  4. This air in this cell travels in an anti clockwise direction but some
    escapes into the Ferrell cell where its temperature drops because it is
    moving north.
  5. Air at the equator is heated strongly so it rises in low pressure conditions. The air flows towards the north and south poles. As warm
    air rises it cools and condenses Low pressure therefore brings cloud and
    rain.
  6. The air sinks at 30 degrees north and south of the equator under high
    pressure. High-pressure weather brings with it dry and clear skies.
  7. Air then warms up as it travels from 30 degrees N / S on its journey
    towards the poles. At 60 degrees N / S the air is heated enough to rise
    under low pressure conditions.
  8. Air at the polar latitudes is colder and denser and so the air sinks towards the ground surface under high pressure conditions. The air then starts its journey back towards the equator.
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7
Q

What is a tropical storm

A

A huge storm/mass of spinning clouds that develop in the Tropics

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8
Q

What are examples of tropical storm hazards

A

Storm force winds
Storm surges
Massive pressure fall
High rainfall

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9
Q

What are requirements of a tropical storm

A

Sea surface temperatures (28 degrees Celsius is a passing form)

Tropical storms cannot form under high atmospheric pressure conditions - needs low pressure

Tropical storms can only develop between 8 - 20 degrees, where easterly trade winds converge, providing a ready moisture supply

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10
Q

How is a tropical storm formed

A
  1. A strong upward movement of air draws water vapor up from the warm conditions
  2. Evaporated air cools as it rises and condenses to form towering thunderstorm clouds
  3. As the air condenses, it releases heat, powering the storm and draws up more and more water from the ocean
  4. Several smaller thunderstorms join together to form a giant spinning storm
  5. The storm now develops an eye at its centre where air descends rapidly. Although the eye is calm, the outer
    edge of the eyewall is where the most intense weather conditions are felt.
  6. As the storm is carried across the ocean by the winds, it gathers strength continuously
  7. On reaching land, the storm’s energy supply is cut off. Friction with land slows it down and its begins to weaken.
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11
Q

What is a tropical cyclone

A

A weather system in which winds rotate inwardly to an area of low atmospheric pressure

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12
Q

What areas of the world are most likely to be affected by a cyclone

A

Countries around the Indian Ocean

Madagascan
India
Parts of Australia

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13
Q

What is a typhoon

A

A tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans

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14
Q

What parts are likely affected by a typhoon

A

Japan
Parts of Southeast Asia

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15
Q

What is a hurricane

A

A storm with a violent wind, reeking damage among the Caribbean and USA

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16
Q

What parts are affected by a hurricane

A

USA
Caribbean
Parts of Southeast Asia

17
Q

What are the conditions of a hurricane

A

Can only occur with a sea temperature of 26 degrees Celsius

Can only develop into major storms when the sea temperature is 28 degrees Celsius

18
Q

What are the forming requirements for a hurricane

A

Wave patterns
Thunderstorms
Wind patterns

Neither of those hazards are found under high pressure

Can only develop around a narrow band

19
Q

What is the Coriolis effect

A

The Earth’s rotation speed

20
Q

What latitudes do tropical storms develop at

A

8 degrees, 20 degrees, north of the Equator

21
Q

What is the hole in the hurricance centre

A

The eye of the hurricane

22
Q

How large can the hurricane eye be

A

20 - 40 miles across

23
Q

Why is there calm conditions in the eye

A

Sinking air keeps clouds and rain from forming.

24
Q

What is the ring of thunderstorms around the eye called

A

Eye wall

25
Q

What are the conditions in the eye wall

A

Strong winds
Incredibly destructive

26
Q

What is connected to the eye wall

A

Rainbands

27
Q

What two hazards are associated with rainbands

A

Heavy rain
Strong winds

28
Q

How is a hurricane categorised

A

The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes based on their sustained wind speed at the time of
measurement.

The scale runs from 1-5, where a scale 5 hurricane has the fastest sustained wind speed, and is therefore the most destructive.

It can be used to give an indication of the potential damage and flooding.

29
Q

What is the tropical storm effect on climate change

A

Distribution: Over the last few decades,
temperatures in the surface waters around the tropics have increased by 0.25° -0.5°C.

In the future, tropical storms may affect areas outside the current hazard zone.

Frequency: Several models suggest that frequency will reduce but intensity will
increase.

Intensity: Scientists have calculated that over the last 30 years, tropical storm intensity
has increased.

This appears to be linked
to increases in sea
surface temperatures.

Tropical storms are
predicted to become wetter in the future.

30
Q

What are four ways to reduce the effect of tropical storms

A

Planning
Protection
Monitoring
Prediction

31
Q

How can we prepare for a hurricane

A

Advanced warning given by authorities via weather reports etc., to give people time to prepare.

Disaster kit contents: first-aid kit; documents (e.g. ID and passports), valuables and clothes in waterproof bags.

Reinforce doors and windows.

Bring in objects which could become projectiles.

House animals and pets in containers.

Listen to further announcements by TV, radio or internet – be prepared to evacuate if orders given by authorities.

Stay inside, unplug all electrical devices, turn off circuit breaker and listen for further instructions.

32
Q

Why does the UK get such extreme weather

A

The result of our
prevailing winds the
convergence of 5 major air
masses

33
Q

What are the five major air masses and their effects to the weather

A

Polar Maritime Air Mass:
From: Greenland/Arctic Ocean
Wet, cold air = cold showery weather

Arctic Maritime Air Mass:
From: Arctic
Wet, cold air = snow in winter

Polar Continental Air
Mass:
From: Central Europe
Hot air = dry summers
Cold air = snow in winter

Tropical Maritime Air Mass
From: Atlantic
Warm, moist air = clouds, rain and mild weather

Tropical Continental Air Mass
From: North Africa
Hot, dry air = Hot weather in summer

34
Q

What are different types of weather hazards + definitons

A

Thunderstorms: torrential rain and flash flooding

Prolonged rainfall: torrential rain and flash flooding

Drought/extreme heat: Increased water stress, first heatwave of the year
deadly to older people

Heavy snow/extreme cold: Infrastructure not designed to cope,

Strong winds: damage caused by falling trees and debris

35
Q

Why might extreme weather condition events be increasing

A

Extreme weather appears to be linked with a warming world

More heat energy in the atmosphere can lead to more intense storms

Atmospheric circulation can be affected, bringing floods to normally dry regions and heatwaves to normally cooler areas

36
Q

Name one way that us humans cause increasing global temperature

A

Use of harmful gases (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere

37
Q

How fast does global temperature increase

A

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide: a greenhouse gas, leading to global planetary warming

Average global temperatures have increased by more than 1 degree Celsius between 1850 and 2017

38
Q

What are the three likely impacts of climate change

A

Rising ocean levels - melting of glaciers and ice sheets, adding more water to an ocean, 90% absorbed extra heat from global warming, expansion of warm water, increases the amount of oceans taking up space

Ocean acidification - Ocean acidification
occurs when the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and becomes more acidic. It is often called the ‘evil twin’ of climate change

Extreme weather events - Climate change
is causing many extreme weather events to become more intense and frequent, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods.

39
Q
A

Geography (6 decks)

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