Weather hazards and climate change Flashcards
UK climate
Climate is the average temperature and precipitation figures for an area
Weather is the day-to-day changes in temperature and precipitation
Annual temperature range is the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a place
Total annual rainfall is the sum of all rainfall that falls in a year in an area
Prevailing winds is the Direction from which the wind usually blows. In the UK, it is the southwest
Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator. It is measured in degrees and with the maximum being 90° N or 90° S
UK climate
UK has Maritime climate with maximum average temperatures being 15° and minimum being 4° with gradual changes
Rainfalls every month the total amount varies with location within the UK from approximately 550 MM in London at 1800 MM in Fort William
The temperature variations are the result of the influence of latitude and the distance from settlement is from the sea
Tropical cyclone characteristics and causes
They develop over tropical and subtropical oceans between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn with a water temperature of 27°
They usually form towards the end of the summer and in the autumn
Average wind speed is 120 KPH but when’s of 400 KPH have been known
They have an eye which is the calm centre of the storm
Causes and hazards of droughts
Meteorological Hydrological Human-agriculture Human-dam building Human-deforestation
Metrological
This concerns the amount of precipitation an area receives compared to its average. It is all about the weather and because if there is a road long period of below average precipitation which creates a natural shortage of available water this is then the called a drought
Hydrological
This is how a decrease in precipitation can have an impact on an Overland flow, reservoirs, lakes and groundwater. This is often defined on a river basin scale: water reserves in aquifers Lakes and reservoirs fall below an established testicle average this can be related to precipitation of human demand and increase usage which has lowered water reserves
Human agriculture
This is when there is not enough water available to support average crop productions on farms.This could be when the crops are planted or during the growing season this often occurs when there is a fall in precipitation but can also occur if farming techniques change. For example, areas could start growing crops which require more water than is available but the water can be provide by irrigation. If the irrigation source dries up, then the plant will die
Human dam buildings
If a dam It’s constructed on a large river it can produce electricity and plenty of water for the area close to the dam. However, places further downstream may suffer from drought because they will be receiving a reduced flow of water. For example the building of Ataturk Dam On the river Euphrates provide electricity and water for irrigation in Turkey but has restricted the flow of water to Syria and Iraq, meaning they have less water for irrigation
Human deforestation
The cutting down of trees for fuel reduces the soils ability to hold water this can cause the land to dry out which can result in drought in an area
Hazards of drought
There will be a shortage of water supplies and the residents will be asked to conserve water. In extreme cases standpipes will be introduced
During droughts, crops fail and animals died of lack of grazing land. This can cause malnutrition and starvation
Wildfires are common. This is because the trees are very dry and I need to be there and also a lot of fallen branches and Deadwood lying in the forest. If a fire does start, there are only scarce water supplies to help with controlling the fire
When soil becomes dry due to lack of rain, vegetation dies leaving the soil unprotected. The dry soil can be blown away by the wind in the process known as window Asian.
When rain returned to the area, there is no topsoil left so natural vegetation cannot regrow and crops cannot be planted
