WEATHER HAZARDS

Question 1

What does the Global Atmospheric Circulation model describe?

Answer 1

how air circulates between low and high pressure belts ( resulting in the different conditions at different latitude)

Question 2

What does cool sinking air and warm rising air form?

Answer 2

• high - pressure belts of wind

- low - pressure belts of wind

Question 3

What is the 3 convection cells in the GAC?

Answer 3

Happy Feet Penguin

• hadley cell
• ferrel cell
• polar cell

Question 4

Name the different types of tropical storm?

Answer 4

• North American = hurricane
• South-east Asia = typhoon
• Indian ocean/Australia = cyclones

Question 5

What is the causes of a tropical storm?

Answer 5

• air is heated above the surface of warm tropical ocean ➡ warm air rises rapidly under low-pressure
• rising air draws up more air and large volumes of moisture from the oceans ➡ so strong winds occurs
• Coriolis Effect causes the air to spin upwards around the eye of a storm
• the risen air cools and condense forming large cloud
  ➡ generating rainfall
• cold air sinks in the eye ➡ no clouds and calm dry conditions
• TS travels in the direction of the prevailing wind
• when meet on land it no longer fueled by moisture ➡ loses power

Question 6

What are the big 3 hazards you get from TS?

Answer 6

• rain
• wind
• storm surge

Question 7

List the features of a Tropical storm

Answer 7

• form 5-15 degrees North + South of the Equator
• over the sea
• where the sea temperature 27 degrees

Question 8

Explain how to mitigate/reduce the effects of TS + example?

Answer 8

• monitoring = using scientific methods to watch storms EXAMPLE: satellites
• prediction = deciding, based on historical evidence, what TS will do next
  EXAMPLE: computers/super computers
• protection = ensuring areas can withstand storms
  EXAMPLE: remove trees near building + reinforce garage doors
• planning = making sure people know what to do
  EXAMPLE: supply kits/ preparedness week

Question 9

What are the effects of climate change on storms + why?

Answer 9

• intensity = warmer oceans = more intense storms(every 1 degrees will increase wind speed by 5%)
• frequency = amount will stay the same or decrease but they will be more severe storms
• distribution = the areas are not likely to change

Question 10

What are the UK weather extremes?

Answer 10

• storms evets (west coast pf UK), heavy rain
• flooding (heavy rainfall is the usual cause)
• drought events (deaths, lack of water)(2003)
• cold weather extremes (2010-2011)