LESSON-4 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is climate change?
The change in the average weather patterns that affects Earth’s regional and global climates.
Scientists believe that global temperatures will continue to rise in the next decades.
What are the effects of climate change on the environment?
- Increase in global temperature
- Changes in rainfall patterns
- More droughts and heat waves
- More intense typhoons and hurricanes
- Increase in occurrences of wildfires
- Increase in sea levels
These effects can severely impact ecosystems and biodiversity.
What are the economic impacts of climate change?
Threats to economic stability, including disruptions to agriculture leading to less harvest and food shortages.
Droughts can significantly affect food supply chains.
What is a monsoon?
A seasonal shift in the direction of the prevailing winds of a region, causing dry and wet seasons.
Monsoons are particularly significant in tropical regions.
What are the two kinds of monsoons experienced in the Philippines?
- Amihan (Northeast monsoon)
- Habagat (Southwest monsoon)
These monsoons have distinct seasonal characteristics affecting different parts of the country.
When does the Amihan usually occur?
From late October to March, affecting the eastern part of the country.
It is characterized by cool dry air and helps weaken cyclones.
What is global warming?
The gradual increase of the overall temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.
It leads to changes in climate, affecting rainfall patterns and seasonal changes.
What is the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)?
A significant climate phenomenon that alters atmospheric circulation, affecting temperature and precipitation.
ENSO consists of three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and neutral.
What are the three phases of the ENSO cycle?
- El Niño
- La Niña
- Neutral
Each phase has distinct impacts on global weather patterns.
What characterizes the El Niño phase?
Warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
This phase can lead to significant global weather changes.
What does La Niña refer to?
The cooling of the ocean surface along the tropical west coast of South America or eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
It is considered the cold phase of ENSO.
What is a tropical cyclone?
A rapidly rotating storm formed over tropical oceans with a low-pressure center, strong winds, and thunderstorms.
Tropical cyclones can bring heavy rains.
What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone?
- Hurricane: Northeast Pacific and Atlantic Ocean
- Typhoon: Northwest Pacific
- Cyclone: South Pacific and Indian Ocean
These terms refer to the same type of storm but are named differently based on their location.
What devices are used for monitoring tropical cyclones?
- Weather satellite ground receiving station
- Weather surveillance radar
- Rawinsonde
These devices help in gathering atmospheric data for weather-related warnings.
What is the function of a Rawinsonde?
An electronic device used for measuring wind speed and directions, pressure, temperature, and humidity.
It is attached to a balloon to collect data in the atmosphere.
What does the Public Storm Warning System (PSWS) do?
Helps warn locals about the possible impact and damage a typhoon or tropical cyclone may bring.
PSWS ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being the weakest and 5 the strongest.
