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Geography: Climate and Weather > Climate and Weather > Flashcards

Climate and Weather Flashcards

(54 cards)

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1
Q

What are the characteristics of a mid-latitude cyclone?
(8)

A

Warm front, cold front, warm sector, cold sector, clockwise rotation, low pressure, occlusion, circular isobars

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2
Q

Where are mid-latitude cyclones formed?

A

Below the equatorial LP, between the subtropical HP and polar LP

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3
Q

Name the conditions of a mid-latitude cyclone
(5)

A
  • Two large high pressure systems
  • Subtropical HP
  • Polar HP
  • The air masses meet at the polar front
  • Warm air is forced upwards and cold air flows in
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4
Q

Explain a cold front

A

Air behind front is cold, air ahead of the cold front is slightly warmer, this causes the warm air in front to be uplifted along the cold front, rising air cools, condensation takes place and forms nimbostratus clouds, this results in rain.

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5
Q

Explain a warm front

A

Air ahead of the cold front is slightly colder than the air behind the cold front, this results in the air behind the cold front and the warm air in warm sector rising over the cold air in the front, rising air cools, condensation takes place and forms nimbostratus clouds, this results in rain.

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6
Q

What are the stages of a mid-latitude cyclone?
(4)

A
  1. Initial stage
  2. Development stage
  3. Mature stage
  4. Occluded stage
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7
Q

Explain the stages of a mid-latitude cyclone

A
  1. Initial stage- cold and warm air meet at the polar front
  2. Development stage- wave develops along the polar front
  3. Mature stage- clear low pressure with disinct cold and warm fronts
  4. Occluded stage- cold front catches up with warm front
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8
Q

What are the weather patterns of a cold front?
(5)

A

Sudden drop in temperature, air pressure increases, wind changes from NW to SW, cloud cover is thick, rainfall is heavy

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9
Q

What are the weather patterns of a warm front?
(5)

A

Sudden rise in temperature, air pressure is at its lowest, wind changes from NE to N/NW, cloud cover decreases, rainfall stops

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10
Q

Name the impacts of a mid-latitude cyclone
4

A

Flooding, snow hazards in high-lying areas, loss of livestock, negative impact on economy

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11
Q

What is the general direction of movement of a mid-latitude cyclone and why?

A

West to east, because it is driven by westerly winds, therefore moves eastwards

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12
Q

What are the general characteristics of a tropical cyclone? 5

A

Intense low pressure, named in alphabetical order, during late summer or autumn, move from east to west, away from equator, turns east at 30 degrees, causes destruction by hurricane force winds, storm surges and heavy rainfall

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13
Q

Where are tropical cyclones formed?

A

In tropical regions, over tropical oceans, further than 5 degrees of equator

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14
Q

What are the conditions of a tropical cyclone? 7

A

Sea temperature at least 26 degrees Celsius, high humidity, unstable air, little surface friction, light variable winds, air pressure below 950 hPa, air divergence in upper levels

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15
Q

What are the weather patterns as a tropical cyclone storm approaches? 3

A

Hurricane force winds, air pressure drops, very heavy rainfall

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16
Q

What are the weather patterns in the eye of a tropical cyclone 3

A

No wind, no clouds, no rain

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17
Q

What are the weather patterns as a tropical cyclone storm moves away? 3

A

Storm force winds, air pressure increases, heavy rainfall

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18
Q

What are the stages of a tropical cyclone? 4

A
  1. Formative stage (above 1000hPa)
  2. Immature stage (below 1000hPa)
  3. Mature stage (far below 1000hPa)
  4. Degenerating stage (rises 1000hPa)
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19
Q

What is the impact of tropical cyclones? 4

A
  • Infrastructure: roads/bridges/pipelines
  • Economy: business/crops/costs
  • Social: Deaths/property damaged
  • Environment: erosion/water polluted
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20
Q

What are strategies for tropical cyclones? 7

A

Good weather forecasts, keep public informed by tracking storm, early warning systems, medical and rescue services on alert, build houses with strong materials, evacuation routes and procedures, avoid crossing strong-flowing rivers

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21
Q

What is the general direction of movement of a tropical cyclone and why?

A

East to west, because it is driven by easterly winds therefore moves westwards

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22
Q

Explain how the Kalahari high creates temperature inversion in winter

Study These Flashcards
A

In winter, the inversion layer is lower than the escarpment, prevention the warm, moist air from the Indian ocean moving inland.

23
Q

Explain how the Kalahari high creates temperature inversion in summer

Study These Flashcards
A

In summer, the inversion layer is higher than the escarpment. The warm moist air from the Indian ocean reaches the interior

24
Q

Draw a temperature inversion in winter

Study These Flashcards
A

See page 6 in notes

25
Draw a temperature inversion in summer
See page 6 in notes
26
What does the South Atlantic H do in winter
Causes SW winds to blow towards the land. Responsible for dry conditions along the west coast.
27
What does the Kalahari H do in winter?
Produces clear skies and dry conditions in the interior during winter.
28
What does the South Indian H do in winter?
Causes winds to blow towards the eastern parts of SA. Responsible for rain in eastern SA.
29
What is an inversion?
A layer of air in the atmosphere in which temperature increases with height preventing air below it from rising.
30
How does the Kalahari High affect inversion?
The inversion is lower than the escarpment in winter due to the strong sinking air of the kalahari high. In summer, the land heats up and a hot low-pressure forms where the kalahari high is, which makes the inversion rise higher than the escarpment
31
What is ridging?
Outward extension/bulging of isobars away from the high-pressure centre.
32
Draw berg winds in winter
See page 7 in notes
33
Explain the stages of a moisture front 5
1. Warm over interior- air rises and a heat low (HL) forms 2. Cool, dry south-westerly winds from SAH blow to the interior 3. Warm, moist northeasterly winds from SIH blow to the interior 4. The two air masses meet at the Low Pressure 5. The cooler air forces the warm air to rise - condensation occurs and a moisture front forms
34
What is a line thunderstorm?
a thunderstorm that happens in a line on the eastern side of the moisture front where the warm, moist air is forced to rise
35
What is a moisture front?
A contact zone between two air masses with different moisture content. Dry air and moist air create a front.
36
What is the SAH and what direction does it move?
South Atlantic High, moves anti-clockwise.
37
What is the SIH and what direction does it move?
South Indian High, moves anti-clockwise.
38
What is the impact of a moisture front?
Heavy rainfall causes flooding which leads to loss of natural vegetation/habitats, lightning can cause fires that destroy natural vegetation/habitas, heavy rainfall causes widespread soil erosion/loss of fertile soil, hail causes damage to natural vegetation/habitats.
39
Explain a ridge isobar pattern
outward extension/bulging of isobars away from the high-pressure centre.
40
Explain a saddle isobar pattern
area of constant pressure between two high pressures or low pressures
41
Explain a trough isobar pattern
outward extension/bulging of isobars away from the low-pressure centre
42
Explain anabatic winds in valley climates
Occur during the day, slopes and air above them heated, warm less dense air rises up the valley sides
43
Explain katabatic winds in valley climates
Occur at night, slopes and air above them are cooled, dense air subsides down the Valle slopes
44
Explain inversions in valley climates (8)
- Inversions form when the normal pattern of air temperature is reversed - Air closer to the ground is cooler than the air above it - Happens on calm, cloudless winter nights - Upper slopes cool rapidly - Cold air sinks down slopes to the valley - The colder air is trapped under warmer air - Temperature increases with altitude in the valley - Polluted air gets trapped and cannot rise
45
Explain frost pockets
cold air moves down slope, temp drops below freezing point, frost forms on valley floor, frost-resistant crops are planted on valley floor, crops sensitive to frost are planted higher up the slope
46
Explain radiation fog
Formed as a result of radiation from the earths surface, formed in valleys when nights are cold, clear and cloudless, earths surface and layer of air above it cools rapidly, condensation occurs, tiny droplets formed, small droplets are suspended in the air. Disappears after insolation starts.
47
What impact do frost pockets have on human activities?
Settlement: - develop on mid-slope in thermal belt - night time temps will be higher - cold air sinks to valley floor Farming: - in SA vineyards planted on warmer north-facing slopes - frost-resistant crops planted in frost pocket - crops sensitive to low temps planted in thermal belt
48
Why are cities warmer than rural areas? (9)
artificial surfaces high-rise buildings many motor cars lots of people lack of vegetation pollution large dark surfaces air conditioners industries
49
What is an urban heat island?
When a city has warmer temperatures than surrounding rural areas
50
What are the effects of urban heat islands (7)
human discomfort heat stress and death release of GHG increases smog concentration reduces visibility increased use of energy in summer pollution levels increase
51
What is a pollution dome?
Trapped mass of polluted air over the city
52
What are the effects of a pollution dome?
insolation blocked during the day precipitation increases triggers allergic reactions, breathing difficulties and asthma attacks lead poisoning from petrol fumes causes smog global climate change
53
what are the causes of a pollution dome?
air pollution from industries domestic fires car exhaust fumes burning of fossil fuels inversions that trap pollution
54
How can urban heat islands and pollution domes be reduced? (6)
Green belts energy saving roof gardens public transport shaded parking using light-coloured materials

Geography: Climate and Weather (2 decks)

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