Extreme UK weather (and Somerset case study)

Question 1

Why does the UK have Extreme weather?

Answer 1

It is the meeting point of several weather types from many different direction

Question 2

What is a depression?

Answer 2

An area that has low atmospheric pressure, causing clouds to form, bringing rain.

Question 3

What are anticyclones?

Answer 3

Areas of high pressure that form when cool air sinks. They spin in a clockwise direction and bring clear skies. In winter, clear spies bring fog and frost. In summer, clear skies bring hot, sunny weather.

Question 4

What are the types of extreme weather in the UK?

Answer 4

• Thunderstorms
• Prolonged rainfall
• Drought and extreme heat
• Heavy snow and extreme cold
• Strong winds (gales)

Question 5

Facts about thunderstorms

Answer 5

• In 2014 there were electrical storms
• Resulted in 3000 lightning strikes across southern britain

Question 6

Facts about prolonged rainfall

Answer 6

• Prolonged rainfall often causes river flooding.
• Most common in winter and early spring.
• There was widespread flooding in England in the winter of 2014.

Question 7

Facts about drought and extreme heat

Answer 7

• Heatwaves dry up rivers and reservoirs.
• In 2003, Europe was hit by a heatwave that killed 20,000 and gave the UK it’s highest ever recorded temperature.

Question 8

Facts about heavy snow and extreme cold

Answer 8

• Has become less common in recent years
• Can cause great hardship in the north of the UK

Question 9

Facts about strong winds (gales)

Answer 9

• February 2014 saw strong winds in Wales.
• 21,000 were left without power.
• 105 mph wind speeds recorded in North West Wales.
• The Clifton suspension bridge had to be shut down.

Question 10

Describe the landscape, and location of the Somerset levels

Answer 10

• Located in the north of the county of Somerset, which is in the South West of England.
• 3-4m above sea level
• Prone to flooding

Question 11

When did the Somerset levels flood?

Answer 11

• December 2013
• January 2014

Question 12

What were the physical causes of the flooding?

Answer 12

• Heavy rainfall
• Saturated soils meant water ran off quickly into rivers
• High tides prevented river water escaping into the sea

Question 13

What were the human causes of the flooding?

Answer 13

• The rivers hadn’t been dredged for 20 years
• Urbanisation on the flood plain increased impermeable surfaces

Question 14

What were the social effects?

Answer 14

• 600 houses flooded
• Residents were evacuated and lived in temporary shelters
• Some villages were cut off
• Some people couldn’t get insurance after the floods

Question 15

What were the economic impacts?

Answer 15

• The floods costed over £100m
• 80% of businesses in the area were affected by the floods
• £200m was lost in the tourism industry
• The Bristol to Taunton railway was damaged and main roads were closed

Question 16

What were the environmental impacts?

Answer 16

• Floodwater was contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and oil
• Ecosystems were destroyed
• Soil was damaged by stagnant water, leading to agricultural losses
• Debris needed to be cleared from land

Question 17

What are the 2 types of strategies?

Answer 17

• Immediate
• Long-term

Question 18

What immediate responses were used to reduce flood risk?

Answer 18

• Flood warnings issued by the met office
• Residents used sandbags to protect their property
• Temporary pumps pumped water back into rivers
• Social media was used to communicate news
• Boats were used to get help and food to stranded people

Question 19

What long-term responses were used?

Answer 19

• A 20-year flood action plan was launched, costing £100m
• River Tone and Parrett were dredged, costing £6m
• Some road levels were raised
• Pumping stations were made permanent
• A tidal barrage will be built at Bridgewater

Question 20

What management strategies were used to reduce risk from weather hazards in the UK? (3 p’s)

Answer 20

• Prediction: Warning systems with different colour levels give people time to prepare
• Protection: Individuals and authorities try to prepare for extreme weather before it happens.
• Planning: Emergency services and local councils plan how to deal with extreme weather events in advance.

Question 21

What evidence is there that the UK’s weather is becoming more extreme?

Answer 21

• The environment agency says that floods are becoming more frequent
• Record heatwaves melted roads and killed 2000 people in 2003
• In 2007 and 2008, extreme flooding occurred in coastal areas in England
• There was 20cm of snow over london in 2009
• In 2010, Northern Ireland recorded a temperature of -18 degrees C
• 2013/2014 had the wettest winter in 250 years, causing the river Thames to burst it’s banks and flood the Somerset beds.