1.3 Weather Hazards Flashcards

Question

Structure of tropical storms

Answer 1

A storm's centre is known as the eye of the storm Cool air descending from the eyewall creates the eye of the storm, which can be 50km wide In the eye, there is no rain and low pressure (and a warmer ground temperature) The eyewall surrounds all sides of the eye of the storm In the eyewall, hot air rises, winds are very strong and there is a lot of rain At the edges of storms, conditions are intermediate: wind speeds, rain intensity and temperatures are moderate, and clouds are small and scattered

Answer 2

Climate change is expected to lead to increases in temperatures Currently, most tropical storms happen close to the equator, where the sea temperature is above 26.5oC More of Earth's seas will be warmer than 26.5oC, so there will be more storms and those that happen will have more energy

Answer 3

Oceans will be warmer than 26.5°C, so the frequency of storms will rise and storm season will get longer The number of storms varies a lot, but warmer seas will lead to more storms

Answer 4

The higher the temperatures of the oceans, the more energy tropical storms will accumulate, the greater the intensity of the storm More intense storms will cause more damage to buildings, infrastructure, and people

Answer 5

Damage to infrastructure - transport networks, railway lines, roads, and bridges can be damaged or flooded Flights and train journeys are often cancelled because high winds make travel dangerous Flying debris blown by the winds can kill or injure people Electricity cables and pylons above ground can be damaged by wind or debris Rivers and coastal towns can be flooded and the water damage can last for years Floods can also cause sewage to overflow out of drains, potentially mixing with water supplies

Answer 6

Floods can damage people's houses causing homelessness. Without finding shelter, people could freeze to death outside If water or electricity supplies are cut off, people can become isolated and stranded from basic health requirements. This can cause illness and viruses to spread People may not be able to get work and earn money if airports and train lines are damaged Damaged roads, airports, and train lines could stop aid and emergency services helping those affected Damage to crops, the death of livestock, and the blocking of supply lines can all contribute to food shortages

Answer 7

Scientists can monitor storms using satellites, planes, and innovations like radar Meteorologists build models to try to forecast the weather and cyclones. However, the weather is very complicated and accurate prediction a long time in advance is very difficult

Answer 8

Planning regulations on buildings and construction can ensure that buildings are built safely and only in areas that are unlikely to be flooded or damaged by hurricanes Stilts are used in some nations to help stop flooding. Reinforced concrete is a stronger material that is better protected against floods Flood defences can be constructed in vulnerable areas

Answer 9

Firefighters and ambulances should receive specific disaster training The 1st of September is Japan's National Disaster Preparation Day Special plans for evacuation and rescue could save lives

Answer 10

Heatwaves are extended periods of hot weather If heatwaves go on too long, it can lead to periods of drought, like in Cape Town in 2019 Humans and animals can suffer from heat exhaustion and transport links can also be disrupted as rails buckle and the tarmac on roads melts Trains often have to limit their speed to 50mph in very hot conditions

Answer 11

Drought happens when an area does not get enough precipitation Water supplies and reservoirs can dry up This can lead to a lack of drinking water and crop failures if there is not enough irrigation The UK government sometimes introduces hosepipe bans to preserve water in these situations

Answer 12

Cardiff is the UK's wettest city, with 115cm of rain each year If there is too much rainfall, areas can flood. In 2004, Boscastle town in Cornwall flooded after heavy rain People can be trapped in their homes, the foundations of houses can be damaged and people can drown Repairing flood damage is very expensive and houses on areas vulnerable to flooding can be impossible to insure

Answer 13

Slipping on ice can cause head injuries that kill some people Homeless people are particularly vulnerable to the cold and many die in the winter each year If there is too much snow, businesses may be forced to shut, along with schools, railway lines, roads, and airports Harsh, cold winters and kill crops or reduce crop yields, causing problems for farmers, and potentially causing food shortages

Answer 14

Wind in the UK is rarely as strong as Hurricane Patricia's 345km/h winds However, Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis in 2020 caused the UK's Avanti railway lines and airports like Heathrow to cancel flights Many areas in Yorkshire and Wales were flooded and people were killed by falling trees The UK coast and upland regions suffer from the strongest winds in the UK

Answer 15

Cyclones are rare in the UK Thunderstorms with torrential rain, thunder and lightning are more common During the summer, hailstorms are possible Hailstones fall and they can break windows and reduce visibility on roads, potentially causing injuries

Answer 16

The UK's 10 hottest years on record (since 1884) have all been since 2002 The winter of 2010-2011 was the coldest winter since early records in 1659

Answer 17

December 2015 was the wettest month on record in the UK and temperatures were 4.1 degrees celsius higher than average for December

Answer 18

Storms and heavy rainfall have led to major flooding in: Boscastle (2004) South Wales (2020 - Storm Ciara & Storm Dennis) West Wales (2012) Cumbria (2005, 2009 and 2015)

1.3 Weather Hazards Flashcards

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