Weather hazards

Question 1

What is the atmospheric circulation model?

Answer 1

The movement of air across the planet occurs in a specific pattern. The whole system is driven by the equator, which is the hottest prt of the Earth

Question 2

What are the 3 cells of circulation?

Answer 2

In this order:
Polar cell
Ferrell cell
Hadley cell

Question 3

At what altitudes are there high and low pressure?

Answer 3

0 - Low
30 N+S - High
60 N+S - Low
90 N+S High

Question 4

What are conditions like at high pressure?

Answer 4

• Stable conditions
• Dry
• Air is sinking

Question 5

What are conditions like at low pressure?

Answer 5

• Unstable conditions
• Air is rising
• Wet

Question 6

What direction does wind move?

Answer 6

From high to low pressures

Question 7

Why do winds not just blow up and down?

Answer 7

Due to the tilt on the earth (corealis effect)

Question 8

What winds meet at the equator

Answer 8

Trade winds meet at the equator to form the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Question 9

What is the distribution of tropical storms?

Answer 9

The majority of tropical storms occur between the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn 23.5 degrees N+S
None form at the equator so 5-30 degrees N+S

Question 10

What are the 3 names for tropical storms?

Answer 10

Hurricanes - Found in America
Cyclones - Indian / SE Asia
Typhoons - Oceania/ Madagascar

Question 11

What two conditions are required for a tropical storm to form?

Answer 11

Sea surface temperature of 27 degrees Celcius
Low wind shear

Question 12

What is the relationship between tropical storms and global atmospheric circulation model?

Answer 12

They form at low pressures 5-30 degrees N+S

Question 13

How to tropical storms form?

Answer 13

• Sea surface temperatures reach 27 degrees Celcius as the sun shines directly upon the areas near the equators
• The warmth cause the air to begin to rise forming and unstable warm air mass
• The air rises to form an low pressure sone
• Cooler air is brought from high pressure areas causing string winds
• The difference in pressures cause the speed of the winds to increase
• The rising air the cools and condenses to form heavy rain clouds
• The storm continues to spiral due to the coriolis effect as it reaches land

Question 14

When is tropical storm season

Answer 14

June - November

Question 15

What are the characteristics of tropical storms?

Answer 15

torrential rain
High windspeeds 74mph
intense low pressure

Question 16

Where is the calmest and strongest part of a tropical storm?

Answer 16

Calmest - eye
Strongest - eye walls

Question 17

What direction to tropical storms spiral in the north and south equator?

Answer 17

North - anti clockwise
South - clockwise

Question 18

What types of clouds are formed at tropical storms?

Answer 18

Cumulonimbus clouds

Question 19

What happens when tropical storms reach land?

Answer 19

Energy is absorbed by land so they slow down

Question 20

How does climate change affect the distribution, frequency and intensity of tropical storms?

Answer 20

Distribution - casual relationship more originated from the North Pacific and central pacific increased between 1980 -2018, may see more form outside tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
Intensity- Sea surface temperature increases so more energy is used so more intense
Frequency - No overall trend may decrease of high wind sheer and they are broken up early on

Question 21

A recent extreme weather event int he UK?

Answer 21

16-19th July 2022 heatwave

Question 22

Social impacts of this weather event?

Answer 22

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