Weather Hazards Flashcards
What is global atmospheric circulation?
Global atmospheric circulation is the system of winds, which transports heat from tropical to polar latitudes. In each hemisphere air circulates through the entire depth of troposphere which extends up to 15km.
Why is global atmospheric circulation important?
It explains the location of world climate zones and it explains the distribution of weather hazards.
How does global atmospheric circulation work?
Insolation is the amount of solar radiation an area receives over a specified amount of time. This depends on latitude, which is the distance from the equator. The further from the equator an area is, the less insolation it receives as the same amount of sunlight is spread over a larger area.
How is a simple convection cell created?
Air at the equator is heated strongly. The air becomes less dense and then rises. This creates a zone of low pressure called the equatorial zone. After rising, the air spreads north or south towards the equator.
Meanwhile, air at the poles is colder and more dense causing the air to descend, creating a zone of high pressure. After sinking, the air spreads out and flows north and south towards the equator.
What happens in a ferrel cell?
In the ferrel cell at 30% some of the air gets sucked to the Equator. At 60% the air heats up and rises.
What are the conditions needed for a tropical storm?
Ocean warmer than 27% = warm, moist rising air
Ocean with a depth of 60-70 meters = warm, moist rising air
Low latitude = warm, moist rising air
Low wind sheer = allows storms to form.
What happens in a Hadley cell?
In a hadley cell air rises at the equator. Air rises and starts to fall back at 30°.
Where in the world would hurricanes occur?
North America.
Where would cyclones occur?
In the south pacific.
What is a tropical storm?
A tropical storm is a hazard that brings heavy rainfall, strong winds and other related hazards such as mudslides and floods.
Where are tropical storms found?
Tropical storms usually form between 5° and 30° latitude.
What direction do tropical storms travel in?
Tropical storms move westward due to easterly winds.
How are tropical storms named?
Tropical storms are named alphabetically and alternate between female and male.
Hurricane Katrina.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina was the costliest natural disaster and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the USA.
What were the primary effects of Hurricane Katrina?
The primary effects of Hurricane Katrina were more than 1800 killed, 230 jobs lost from damaged businesses, water supplies were polluted with sewage and chemicals, 3 million left without electricity, Rebuild costs estimated at $150 billion.
