Weather Hazards Flashcards
What is the Global Atmospheric Circulation?
Helps to explain the location of world climate zones and the distribution of weather hazards.
What happens when the Sun’s rays strike the Earth?
They are concentrated differently on areas of land depending on latitude.
What is the difference between the sun’s rays at the equator to the Poles?
At the Equator the sun’s rays are concentrated so its much hotter than at the Poles where the rays are more spread out.
What does the tilt of the Earth’s rotation cause?
Seasonal changes in postition of cells. They move north in summer and south in winter.
Where can Tropical storms occur?
In various different locations at various different times.
Where do hurricanes start?
Atalantic and eastern pacific oceans.
Where do Cyclones start?
Indian and south pacific oceans
Where do typhoons start?
West of the North pacific ocean.
How does Low latitudes contribute to the formation of a tropical storm?
Low latitudes - near the equator
Temperatures are higher here than at the poles so the sea and air are heated more quickly, to higher temperatures. Air pressure is low and air rises.
How does oceans with temperatures above 27 degrees celsius at a depth of 60-70m contribute to the formation of a tropical storm?
Provides heat and moisture so warm air rises rapidly.
How does it being either summer or autumn contribute to the formation of a tropical storm?
Typically the warmest seasons to encourage warmer air to rise rapidly, on account of low pressure.
How does low wind shear
Wind is constant and doesn’t vary with height so clouds rise to high altitudes without being torn apart.
Explain the formation of tropical storms?
Air over warm tropical oceans is heated, this warm air rises, in low pressure conditions.
As the air moves upwards, it brings with it more air and moisture from the oceans - resulting in strong winds.
Coriolis effect - air spins around a calm centre.
The evaporated moisture condenses as it moves upwards and cools.
As it cools more more moisture is drawn up from below.
So then we have large clouds forming leading to large volumes of rainfall.
When does the eye of the storm form?
When cold air sinks - dry and calm.
How does temperature imcrease from climate change affect tropical storms?
Rise in sea levels - higher storm surges.
Air can hold more moisture - increased rainfall - more severe floods.
What do we expect will happen to tropical storms due to Climate change?
More destructive impact
More frequent appearance
More uncertainty
What are ways we can reduce the effect of a tropical storm using Planning?
Storm shelters, disaster supply kits, educate people on it, family plan.
What are ways we can reduce the effect of a tropical storm using Protection?
Storm shutters, Storm drains, sea walls, reinforce doors and walls.
What are ways we can reduce the effect of a tropical storm using Prediction?
National oceanic atmosphere adminstration has super computers to look at large amount of data and make predictions.
What can we use to monitor tropical storms?
Use of satellites and aircraft.
What is the cause of Snow and extreme cold in the UK?
Depressions not passing over as normal
What are the social impacts of Snow and extreme cold in the UK?
Risk to crop, travel disrupted, increased heating costs, risk to health of vulnerable people.
What do strong winds cause?
Damage to power supplies, can flatten trees.
What is a drought?
extended period of low rainfall.
