Weather Hazards

Question 1

What is global atmospheric circulation

(Definitions of individual words, then combined word definition)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is the effect of low pressure

Answer 2

Air isn’t pressing down on the Earth

Air can rise, clouds can form, leading to rain

Question 3

What is the effect of high pressure

Answer 3

Air is pressing down on the Earth

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

Question 4

What is the tri cellar model

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What are the types of surface winds on the Earth

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Overall review of the global circulation model

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is a tropical storm

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are examples of tropical storm hazards

Answer 8

Storm force winds
Storm surges
Massive pressure fall
High rainfall

Question 9

What are requirements of a tropical storm

Answer 9

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

Question 10

How is a tropical storm formed

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is a tropical cyclone

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Countries around the Indian Ocean

Madagascan
India
Parts of Australia

Question 13

What is a typhoon

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What parts are likely affected by a typhoon

Answer 14

Japan
Parts of Southeast Asia

Question 15

What is a hurricane

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What parts are affected by a hurricane

Answer 16

USA
Caribbean
Parts of Southeast Asia

Question 17

What are the conditions of a hurricane

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What are the forming requirements for a hurricane

Answer 18

Wave patterns
Thunderstorms
Wind patterns

Neither of those hazards are found under high pressure

Can only develop around a narrow band

Question 19

What is the Coriolis effect

Answer 19

The Earth’s rotation speed

Question 20

What latitudes do tropical storms develop at

Answer 20

8 degrees, 20 degrees, north of the Equator

Question 21

What is the hole in the hurricance centre

Answer 21

The eye of the hurricane

Question 22

How large can the hurricane eye be

Answer 22

20 - 40 miles across

Question 23

Why is there calm conditions in the eye

Answer 23

Sinking air keeps clouds and rain from forming.

Question 24

What is the ring of thunderstorms around the eye called

Answer 24

Eye wall

Question 25

What are the conditions in the eye wall

Answer 25

Strong winds Incredibly destructive

Question 26

What is connected to the eye wall

Answer 26

Rainbands

Question 27

What two hazards are associated with rainbands

Answer 27

Heavy rain Strong winds

Question 28

How is a hurricane categorised

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What is the tropical storm effect on climate change

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

What are four ways to reduce the effect of tropical storms

Answer 30

Planning Protection Monitoring Prediction

Question 31

How can we prepare for a hurricane

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Why does the UK get such extreme weather

Answer 32

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

Question 33

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

Answer 33

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

Question 34

What are different types of weather hazards + definitons

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Why might extreme weather condition events be increasing

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Name one way that us humans cause increasing global temperature

Answer 36

Use of harmful gases (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere

Question 37

How fast does global temperature increase

Answer 37

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

Question 38

What are the three likely impacts of climate change

Answer 38

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.