Weather Hazards - done

Question 1

Pressure belt

Answer 1

The regions of the earth that are dominated either by low pressure or high pressure

Question 2

Surface winds

Answer 2

The winds flowing near the earth’s surface that we as humans experience

Question 3

what is the atmospheric cell closest to the equator

Answer 3

Hadley cell

Question 4

what is the atmospheric cell in the middle

Answer 4

Ferrel cell

Question 5

what is the atmospheric cell furthest from the equator

Answer 5

Polar cell

Question 6

At what latitudes of the earth does the air sink

Answer 6

30* and 90* (top of earth)

Question 7

At what latitudes does the air rise

Answer 7

0* and 60*

Question 8

what type of weather does high pressure areas get and why

Answer 8

because the air is sinking, there is no moisture in the skies so this brings dry and clear skies

Question 9

what type of weather does low pressure areas get and why

Answer 9

because the air is rising, it cools and condenses, bringing cloud and rain

Question 10

How do trade winds move and why

Answer 10

surface winds are experienced due to air moving from areas of high pressure to low pressure. Theses bend due to the Coriolis effect so they bend clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern

Question 11

why is it hotter at the equator

Answer 11

because it is directly beneath the sun whereas the angle of the poles mean the suns rays spread out so are less concentrated (lower insolation)

Question 12

describe the global distribution of tropical storms

Answer 12

-occur between 5 and 30* N and S of the equator
- where the sea temps are high enough while still being in an area where the Coriolis effect can take place

Question 13

what conditions need to be present for tropical storms to occur

Answer 13

• temps above 27*C
• low wind shear
• ocean depths of 60-70mm

Question 14

Describe the six steps of tropical storm formation

Answer 14

1- the sun’s incoming solar radiation warms our ocean to the critical 27*C
2- this causes warm, moist air to rise resulting in low pressure at the centre of the storm
3- This air cools as it rises causing condensation to occur and cumulonimbus clouds to form as well as torrential rainfall
4- some of the cooled air sinks back down forming the calm eye
5- Air rushes in from the area of high pressure to the area of low pressure inside creating the winds
6- the whole storm rotates due to the Coriolis effect

Question 15

why do tropical storms fizzle out when they start to hit land

Answer 15

• no moisture or heat
• friction
• relief of land

Question 16

Structure and features of a tropical storm

Answer 16

• Circular shape swirling anticlockwise (in the northern hemisphere) around a central, clear eye.
• rain bands spreading out around it
• water at more than 27*C

Question 17

in what three ways will climate change affect tropical storms

Answer 17

• distribution
• intensity
• frequency

Question 18

how will climate change affect the distribution of tropical storms

Answer 18

will affect further away from the equator as more of the world’s oceans will be above 27*C

Question 19

how will climate change affect the frequency of tropical storms

Answer 19

the frequency of category 4 and 5 storms will increase and 1-3 storms will decrease

Question 20

how will climate change affect the intensity of tropical storms

Answer 20

increase
- every 1*C increase in sea temps means an increase of 3-5% wind speed

Question 21

how can we monitor tropical storms

Answer 21

• keep an eye on cloud patterns associated with tropical storms
• Global Precipitation Measurement satellite monitors high altitude rainclouds to indicate whether a storm will intensify in the next 24 hours

Question 22

How can prediction reduce the effects of tropical storms

Answer 22

• supercomputers can give five days warning AND
• plot the storm’s predicted path

Question 23

How can protection reduce the effects of tropical storms

Answer 23

• reinforce buildings (shutter the windows) and bring in outdoor furniture
• develop coastal flood defences
• create no-build zones in low lying areas

Question 24

How can planning reduce the effects of tropical storms

Answer 24

• prepare disaster supply kits
• fully fuel vehicles
• locate evacuation shelters

Question 25

Types of weather hazard experienced in the UK

Answer 25

• Flooding
• droughts and heatwaves
• extreme cold weather
• storm events

Question 26

effects of storm events in the UK

Answer 26

• flood and wind damage
• power supplies down
• disruption to transport

Question 27

effects of flooding in the UK

Answer 27

• crops ruined
• landslides
• water damage

Question 28

effects of droughts and heatwaves in the UK

Answer 28

• crop fails
• wildlife affected
• hosepipe ban
• elderly = heat exhaustion
• roads and railway lines buckle

Question 29

effects of extreme cold weather in the UK

Answer 29

• cattle die
• injuries by slipping on ice
• crop failure
• transport and businesses shut

Question 30

evidence that UK weather is becoming more extreme

Answer 30

• december 2010 was coldest in 100 years. warmest april was then in 2011
• 6 of the 10 hottest years on record have come in the last 20 years

Question 31

why is there are relationship between general atmospheric circulation model and tropical storms

Answer 31

• the tropics north and south of the equator provide areas of intense low pressure so that warm, moist air is able to rise rapidly to reach high altitudes

Question 32

what management strategies could be implemented after ST Jude’s storm to reduce risk of another bad event

Answer 32

• road levels raised

Question 33

atmospheric circulation model

Answer 33