WS 1 P.8-15 Flashcards
Describe spring. - - - -
2 months—March-April
Warm and wet
Foggy
Moderate rainfall
Describe summer. - - - - -
5 months — May-September Hot and wet Mainly southerly winds Typhoons and rainstorms may occur Heavy rainfall
Why does heavy rainfall occur in summer?
Typhoons and rainstorms are common extreme weather conditions in summer. Rainstorms are often due to wet onshore monsoons in summer.
Describe autumn. - - - -
2 months — October-November
Mild and dry
Fine, sunny weather with clear skies
Low rainfall
Describe winter. - - - -
3 months — December-February
Cool and dry
Strong northerly winds
Low rainfall
The seasons in Hong Kong are _________________.
distinctive
The hottest month in Hong Kong _________________/ _________________ while the coldest is _________________.
July, August, January
What is the formula for the annual range of temperature?
Highest temperature of that year - lowest temperature of that year
What is the annual mean temperature?
It is the average temperature of the year.
What is the annual rainfall?
The total rainfall in a year.
Name 3 adjectives used to describe the seasonal variations in rainfall.
Distinct, unevenly distributed, evenly distributed
What is the advantage of using a climatic graph?
Numerical data presented in a graph is easier to read, compare and spot trends
Name the components of a climatic graph.
rainfall (mm) — bar chart
temperature (°C) — line graph
title — Climatic graph of Guangzhou
‘months’ — JFMAMJJASOND
Which climatic zone is Hong Kong in? Where is it located?
The sub-tropical monsoon climatic zone. It is at the edge of the tropical area.
please name the three climatic zones from up to down.
polar region ——————— temperate region ——23.5°N—— tropical region -—equator——
Name the 4 factors affecting climate.
Angle of the Sun, Land and Sea (Distance from the sea), Altitude, Altitude (relief barrier)
Why is the angle of the sun important?
This is because it affects the amount of heat received on the earth surface.
The sun angle is _________________ in June and _________________ in December.
greater, smaller
When the angle of the sun is large, the sun beam spreads over a _________________ area, and is _________________ concentrated.
smaller, more
When the angle of the sun is small, the sun beam spreads over a _________________ area, and is _________________ concentrated.
larger, less
Compare the angle of sun in the Tropics and the Polar area.
The angle of the sun in the Tropics is higher/ larger, while the angle of the sun in the Polar area is low/ smaller.
What is the climate of places near to the sea called?
Maritime climates.
As _______________________________ in winter, the winter temperature of places near to the sea (aka _________________________) are ________________.
sea water retains heat in winter, coastal areas, warmer
In summer, _____________________________________, as a result, summer temperatures of places near to the sea are ____________________.
sea absorbs heat slower, cooler
Describe how the sea (hint: water) plays a part in the climate of places near to it.
It is transparent, and there is the mixing of warm water with cool water and onshore winds to moderate temperatures.
The climate of places away from the sea is called ________________________________________.
continental climates
As _______________________________ in winter, the winter temperature of places far away from the sea (aka _________________________) are ________________.
land loses heat faster, inland areas, cooler
In summer, _____________________________________, as a result, summer temperatures of places far away from the sea are ____________________.
land absorbs heat quicker, warmer
Describe how land plays a part in the climate of places near to it.
It is opaque, with no mixing, nor are there onshore winds to moderate temperatures. Instead, there are dry, offshore winds that lead to a low annual rainfall.
Heat is only stored in _________________________________. Hence land mass __________________ and __________________ heat ________________________.
the surface of land, releases, absorbs, rapidly
Continental climates have a __________________________________ and a __________________________________.
large annual range of temperature, low annual rainfall
The air density (or ______________________________) becomes __________/ __________________ with the _________________ altitude.
air pressure, lower/ less dense, increasing
In less dense air, ____________________________________________ and thus ________________________________________________________, and the temperature ______________.
heat loss is faster, the air is able to absorb less heat, falls
In denser air, ___________________________________________________.
heat released from the earth’s surface is stored in the air
____________________, _____________, and ___________________________ in the _________________________________________________ and keep the air _____________.
Water vapour, dust, carbon dioxide, atmosphere absorb long wave radiation, warm
What is the environmental lapse rate?
The average rate of decrease in air temperature with height.
What is the unit of the environmental lapse rate?
°C/m
What are the two types of distribution that contribute to the rainfall distribution pattern Hong Kong has?
Time distribution, special distribution
When is rainfall common in Hong Kong? Why?
Summer. This is because moisture is brought by S/ SE onshore monsoon winds in this season.
Where is more rainfall received in Hong Kong? Why?
The eastern part of Hong Kong. This is because the moisture brought by onshore monsoons is blocked by hills. Therefore, more rainfall is received on windward slopes.
Why does the western part of Hong Kong receive less rainfall?
This is because it lies on the leeward slopes.
The rainfall in Hong Kong is _____________________ distributed.
unevenly
When is relief rain formed?
When air is forced to cool when it rises over relief features in the landscape such as hills or mountains.
What is a ‘rain shadow’ effect?
It is when the leeward slope receives a relatively small amount of rain.
Name the 7 steps of the formation of relief rain.
- Warm wet onshore winds + hot and humid air
- Wind is forced to rise along the slope
- Air is rising and cools
- Air is saturated (100% humidity)
- Condensation starts at condensation level
- Water droplets join together to form cloud
- When water drops are too heavy to float in the air, they fall as rain
Is there any moisture on leeward slopes in Hong Kong? Why?
Yes, there is. This is because the mountains in Hong Kong are not tall enough to block out all of the moisture.
When is air saturated?
When the moisture holding capacity of the air matches the air humidity.
The moisture holding capacity of air _______________ with temperature.
increases.
Why does the climate of Hong Kong differ greatly in winter and summer?
This is because of the effects of monsoons.
What are monsoons?
They are winds that change directions seasonally, blowing from one direction in summer and from the opposite direction in winter.
Hong Kong has a _________________ _________________.
Monsoon climate.
Monsoons bring us _________________ and _________________ winters and _______________ summers.
cool, dry, wet
Explain the process of the formation of winter monsoons.
1.
2.
3.
In winter, the land loses heat more quickly than the sea.
Air therefore sinks over the cold land surface and results in high air pressure.
Offshore winds blow from the land (high-pressure area) to the sea (low-pressure area).
Winter monsoons are _______________ or _______________ monsoons. They are _________ and _______.
north-east, north-west, cool, dry
Explain the process of the formation of summer monsoons.
1.
2.
3.
In summer, the land heats up more quickly than the sea.
Air therefore
Onshore winds blow from the sea (high-pressure area) to the land (low-pressure area).
Summer monsoons are _______________ or _______________ monsoons. They are _________.
south-east, south-west, wet
