Weather Hazards Flashcards
What is global atmospheric circulation?
The transfer of heat from the equator to the poles by the movement of air
This process is crucial for regulating the Earth’s climate and weather patterns.
What causes air movement?
Differences in air pressure
Winds blow from high pressure areas to low pressure areas.
What are the loops in the global atmospheric circulation system called?
Cells
Each cell has warm rising air creating low pressure and cool sinking air creating high pressure.
How many cells does each hemisphere have in the global atmospheric circulation system?
Three
These cells include the Hadley Cell, Ferrel Cell, and Polar Cell.
What happens at the equator in terms of air movement?
The sun warms the Earth, causing air to rise and create a low pressure belt
This rising air leads to high levels of precipitation.
What occurs 30° north and south of the equator?
Cool air sinks, creating a high pressure belt
This is often where deserts are found due to dry conditions.
What are the winds called that move back to the equator from 30° latitude?
Trade winds
These winds are part of the Hadley Cell circulation.
What effect causes winds to curve due to the Earth’s rotation?
Coriolis effect
This effect influences the direction of wind patterns.
What happens at 60° north and south of the equator?
Warmer surface winds meet colder air from the poles, causing the warmer air to rise and create low pressure
This area is associated with significant weather activity.
What occurs at the poles in the global atmospheric circulation?
Cool air sinks, creating high pressure
The high pressure air is then drawn back towards the equator.
How does global atmospheric circulation affect weather and climate?
It influences precipitation and temperature patterns around the world
For example, equatorial regions are typically wet, while areas at 30° latitude are often dry.
What type of weather is common at the equator?
Hot and rainy
The direct overhead sun leads to high solar radiation and significant cloud formation.
What characterizes the climate at 30° north and south latitude?
Dry air with few clouds and little rainfall
This is typically where many deserts are located.
What does the UK experience due to its location close to 60° north?
Warm rising air brings cloud cover and rainfall
This is due to low pressure systems carried from the Atlantic by westerly winds.
At what latitudes do tropical storms develop?
Between 5 and 30° north and south of the equator
What sea temperature is required for tropical storm development?
27 °C or higher
What is the effect of low wind shear on tropical storms?
Prevents clouds from breaking up as they rise, keeping the storm intact
What role does the Coriolis effect play in tropical storms?
Causes the storms to spin
What happens to a tropical storm when it moves over land or cooler water?
It loses strength due to the cutoff of the energy supply from warm water
When do the majority of tropical storms occur in the northern hemisphere?
From August to October
When do most tropical storms occur in the southern hemisphere?
From December to April
What is the average duration of a tropical storm?
7-14 days
In which direction do tropical storms spin in the northern hemisphere?
Anticlockwise
In which direction do tropical storms spin in the southern hemisphere?
Clockwise
What is the center of a tropical storm called?
The eye
What are the characteristics of the eye of a tropical storm?
Very low pressure, light winds, no clouds, no rain, and high temperature
What surrounds the eye of a tropical storm?
The eyewall
What conditions are found in the eyewall of a tropical storm?
Spiraling rising air, very strong winds, storm clouds, torrential rain, and low temperature
What happens to wind speed and rain intensity towards the edges of a tropical storm?
Wind speed falls, clouds become smaller and more scattered, and rain becomes less intense
True or False: Tropical storms are usually hundreds of kilometers wide.
True
Fill in the blank: Tropical storms develop when sea temperature is _______.
27 °C or higher
What is the maximum width of the eye of a tropical storm?
Up to 50 km
What effect do easterly winds have on tropical storms near the equator?
They move tropical storms towards the west
What is the average wind speed in the eyewall of a tropical storm?
Around 160 km per hour
What is the impact of climate change on tropical storms?
Climate change may make tropical storms more severe and affect their distribution, frequency, and intensity.
Increased global average sea surface temperatures contribute to these changes.
By how much have global average sea surface temperatures risen since 1880?
0.9 °C
This rise is expected to continue as a result of climate change.
What is the expected effect of warmer oceans on tropical storm formation?
Oceans will stay at 27 °C or higher for longer each year, leading to a longer period for tropical storms to form.
This may result in an increase in the number of storms each year.
How has the frequency of tropical storms in the Atlantic changed since 1970?
The number of tropical storms each decade seems to have increased, with 16 of the last 24 years having a higher than average number of hurricanes.
This trend indicates a significant rise in hurricane events.
What does an increase in ocean temperature imply for the distribution of tropical storms?
More of the world’s oceans could be above 27 °C, allowing tropical storms to form in areas that haven’t experienced them before, such as higher latitudes.
This shift in distribution can lead to unexpected storm impacts in new regions.
What is the relationship between sea surface temperatures and the intensity of tropical storms?
Higher sea surface temperatures are likely to result in more evaporation and increased cloud formation, leading to more powerful storms.
The number of major hurricanes in the Atlantic has increased since 1970.
How many major hurricanes were recorded during 2014-2018 compared to 1970-1975?
Almost twice as many major hurricanes were recorded during 2014-2018 as compared to 1970-1975.
This highlights the increasing intensity of hurricanes over recent years.
What are two methods used for predicting and monitoring tropical storms?
1) Monitoring using radar, satellites, and aircraft
2) Using computer models to calculate a storm’s predicted path
This technology is crucial for timely evacuations and preparations.
What is one benefit of predicting the path of a tropical storm?
It gives people time to evacuate and protect their homes and businesses.
For example, during Typhoon Haiyan, predictions helped authorities plan evacuations.
What planning measures can be taken to reduce the effects of tropical storms?
1) Avoiding high-risk areas for future developments
2) Planning evacuation routes
3) Preparing emergency services with practice rescues
These measures enhance community resilience against storms.
What is one way buildings can be designed to withstand tropical storms?
Buildings can be put on stilts to be safe from floodwater.
This design helps to mitigate flood damage during storms.
What type of flood defenses can be built along rivers and coasts?
1) Levees along rivers
2) Sea walls along coasts
These structures help protect against storm surges and flooding.
What natural flood defense is being planted in the Philippines?
Mangrove forests
Mangroves provide a natural barrier against floods and storm surges.
What are some common weather hazards experienced in the UK?
Strong Winds, Heavy Rainfall, Snow and Ice, Drought, Thunderstorms, Heat Waves
These hazards can cause various impacts on properties, transport, and the economy.
What impact do strong winds have in the UK?
Damage to properties, disruption of transport, injury or death from uprooted trees and debris
Strong winds are also referred to as gales.
What can heavy rainfall lead to in the UK?
Flooding, damage to homes, disruption of transport networks, drowning
Recovery from flooding can cost millions of pounds.
What are the consequences of snow and ice in the UK?
Injuries from slipping, deaths due to cold, forced closures of schools and businesses, economic impacts from travel disruptions
Snow and ice significantly affect daily life and safety.
What economic impacts can drought cause?
Low water supplies, crop failures, introduction of water conservation rules
Drought is defined as a lack of precipitation.
What occurs during thunderstorms in the UK?
Heavy rain, strong winds, lightning
Lightning can cause fires and pose risks to life and property.
What health issues can arise from heat waves?
Heat exhaustion, breathing difficulties, potential fatalities
Pollution buildup can exacerbate these health issues.
How can heat waves impact transport in the UK?
Rails buckling, roads melting
While transport may be disrupted, the tourism industry could benefit from better weather.
What notable weather event occurred in 2018 in the UK?
Storm Ali killed two people with 100 mph winds
This illustrates the severity of weather hazards in recent years.
What happened in South Wales during Storm Callum in 2018?
Over 180 mm of rain fell in 48 hours, causing flooding
This event highlights the extreme rainfall hazards in the UK.
What was a significant weather event related to snow in March 2018?
The ‘Beast from the East’ brought up to 50 cm of snow
This caused major disruption to traffic and schools.
What was the rainfall situation in southern and eastern England from April 2010 to March 2012?
Received only 75% of average monthly rainfall
This led to very low groundwater levels by spring 2012.
What occurred in July 2014 in southern and central England?
A series of thunderstorms caused power cuts and delayed flights
Lightning strikes were a significant factor in these disruptions.
What record was set during the summer of 2018 in the UK?
One of the hottest summers on record with temperatures reaching 35 °C in Kent
This indicates a trend towards more extreme weather.
How has the UK’s weather changed since 1990?
The ten warmest years have all occurred since 1990
This trend indicates increasing temperatures in the UK.
What trend has been observed in rainfall records from 2010 to 2014?
More rainfall records were broken than in any decade on record
This correlates with an increase in major flooding events.
What was significant about December 2015 in the UK?
It was the wettest month ever recorded
This event contributed to severe flooding in many areas.
True or False: Extreme cold events in the UK are becoming less frequent.
False
Seven of the UK’s eleven coldest recorded temperatures have occurred since 1980.
What was notable about December 2010 in terms of temperature?
It was the coldest month for over 100 years
This highlights the occurrence of extreme cold events.
