Weather and Climate

Question 1

What are the 5 main climate zones?

Answer 1

• Polar zone
• Subpolar zone
• Temperate zone
• Sub tropical zone
• Tropical/Equatorial zone

Question 2

What is meant by trade winds?

Answer 2

Consistent East to West winds that are found in the tropics. In the Northern hemisphere they flow from the northeast and in the southern hemisphere they blow from the southeast.

Question 3

What is the ITCZ?

Answer 3

The Intertropical Convergence Zone they are areas of low pressure around the equator where trade winds converge.

Question 4

Why does the ITCZ form?

Answer 4

As the sun heats the air at the equator it rises and causes an area of low pressure, the converging winds from the NE and SE meet at the equator and rise to form vertical wind. This leads to wet, no horizontal wind so calm conditions but cloud formation.

Question 4

What direction of pressure do winds move in?

Answer 4

From a high pressure to a low pressure.

Question 5

How do ocean currents affect the climate?

Answer 5

Warmer currents such as the Gulf stream carry warm water from the equator up towards the poles, this warm water warms the air surrounding it making coastal areas such as South West of the UK. Colder currents such as the Labrador current brings cold water from the Arctic down to Canada making the temperature there colder.

Question 6

How does continentality affect the climate?

Answer 6

High continentality ares (inland) have a greater annual temperature range as they heat and cool quickly. Lower continentality areas (coastal areas) heat up gradually and retain heat during winter so have less annual temperature range.

Question 7

What are the main influences on the tropical climate?

Answer 7

• The overhead position of the sun giving insulation throughout the year
• The seasonal movement of the ITCZ together with the wind systems of the tropical pressure belts
• The path of the upper jet streams affecting the paths of low pressure systems

Question 8

How does the overhead position of the sun affect the tropical climates?

Answer 8

The tropical climates experience a surplus of solar radiation all year round therefore have warmer climates.

Question 9

How does the seasonal movement of the ITCZ affect tropical climates?

Answer 9

During the months June-August the ITCZ follows the overhead sun towards the Northern hemisphere meaning that tropical areas north of the equator will have warm and wet season whereas tropical regions in the southern hemisphere will be cooler and dry.
During the months of December to February the ITCZ moves southwards meaning that tropical regions southern to the equator will be warm and wet and tropical regions northern to the equator will be dry and cooler.

Question 10

How do the wind systems of the tropical pressure belts affect the climate?

Answer 10

• At the equatorial zone the pressure is low due to rising air therefore they have hot and wet climate e.g., tropical rainforests
• Between 5-30 degrees N/S of the equator will experience both high and low pressure dependent on location of ITCZ so have distinct wet and dry seasons.
• At 30 degrees N/S the pressure is high due to rising air from the equator cooling and spreading out, this leads to dry warm climates where most deserts are found.

Question 11

What is a Monsoon climate and where are they typically located (Why?)

Answer 11

A monsoon climate is when the area has a distinct wet and dry season due to the movement of the ITCZ. It happens in Eastern sides of continents between 5-20 degrees N/S of the equator. As they are next to warm oceans and receive moist air from the trade winds.

Question 12

What causes the wet season in a monsoon climate?

Answer 12

When the ITCZ moves over the land it creates an area of low pressure causing the moist air from the warm ocean to move inland, this causes humid conditions but heavy rainfall.

Question 13

What causes the dry season in a monsoon climate?

Answer 13

When the ITCZ moves away from the land an area of high pressure is formed resulting in less humid conditions and decreased rainfall.

Question 14

What is a jet stream? Which one affects the UK?

Answer 14

A band of fast moving wind flowing East to West, the polar jet stream affects the UK.

Question 15

Why does the jet stream form?

Answer 15

Due to the difference in temperature at the polar front.

Question 16

What happens when the waves of the jet stream bend towards the equator?

Answer 16

It slows down and causes a build up of air and high pressure environment meaning dry conditions.

Question 17

What happens when the waves of the jet stream bend away from the equator?

Answer 17

They speed up and create low pressure wet conditions.

Question 18

What is a high zonal index?

Answer 18

When the jet stream is straighter (less bends towards the equator) causing a steady flow of low pressure systems, long periods of depressions.

Question 19

What is a low zonal index?

Answer 19

When the jet stream has high numbers of curves towards the equator causing multiple high pressure zones and prolonged periods of dry weather.

Question 20

What happens in EL NINO?

Answer 20

The winds become weaker and warmer waters remain in South America rather than moving to Australia, this means that South America have high levels of rainfall which can lead to flooding etc. Australia have less warm water meaning they experience droughts and wildfires.

Question 21

What happens during LA NINA?

Answer 21

The winds become stronger and more warm water gets pushed over to Australia, this means that Australia has higher rainfall and potential flooding. Cold water remains in South America leading to periods of drought and wildfires.

Question 22

What is meant by the changing vulnerability of populations to weather and climate hazards?

Answer 22

Refers to how peoples risk of being affected by weather and climate hazards changes from place and sector.

Question 23

Name one region that is high risk to ocean warming as a result of climate change

Answer 23

The Arctic, ice melting proposes a risk to animals, people and the environment.

Question 24

Why would Sub Saharan Africa be highly vulnerable?

Answer 24

They have little money or aid to help them adapt.

Question 25

Why would low level lands be more vulnerable?

Answer 25

As they are more likely to be affected by effects like sea level rising and storms

Question 26

What are the main hazards associated with low pressure systems in the tropics?

Answer 26

- Cyclones, hurricanes - Tropical storms

Question 27

Where do tropical low pressure system hazards form?

Answer 27

Over oceans on the East margins of continents in the tropics and sub tropics.

Question 28

What helps tropical depressions grow stronger?

Answer 28

The heat and evotranspiration from the warm oceans.

Question 29

What are secondary hazards caused by tropical storms?

Answer 29

Flooding, storm surges, sea incursions, landslides, mudflows, and windborne debris.

Question 30

What are the main low-pressure hazards in temperate regions?

Answer 30

Severe storms, heavy rainfall or snowfall, and gale-force winds.

Question 31

What secondary hazards can temperate storms cause?

Answer 31

Flooding, sea incursions, landslides, and windborne debris.

Question 32

Case study for low pressure hazards?

Answer 32

Hurricane Maria (category 4) in September 2017 hit the USA leading to citizens without power, economy areas such as tourism, fishing and agriculture destroyed, over $90 billion damage. Death toll over 50 with people missing, hospitals and other public buildings still destroyed, lack of sources for income, food and power. Increased migration. Mudslides, matter covering water bodies blocking sunlight, destruction of habitats.

Question 33

What are the main types of strategies to reduce impacts of climatic hazards?

Answer 33

- Prediction - Preparedness - Monitoring - Warning - Immediate response

Question 34

What technologies are used for predicting hazards?

Answer 34

Weather satellites, ocean buoys, radar, computer modelling.

Question 35

What kind of crops help reduce food shortages during drought?

Answer 35

GM (genetically modified) drought-resistant and salt-tolerant crops.

Question 36

What does modifying the loss include?

Answer 36

Aid and insurance.

Question 37

How could we reduce the effects of an event during its duration?

Answer 37

- Cloud seeding - Flood walls - Hazard resistent buildings

Question 38

How does replacing a previous micro climate with an urban micro climate affect the temperature?

Answer 38

It has been recorded that temperatures are much higher within urban micro climates as urban environments are made up of heat retaining materials with better radiation absorption and lower albedo rates. Lack of vegetation causes more solar energy to be available to be absorbed.

Question 39

How does replacing a previous micro climate with an urban micro climate affect the wind speed?

Answer 39

Cities tend to have lower wind speeds as buildings block and slow down winds. There are more calm days however this causes the formation of fog. Some strong winds can be found when tall buildings force wind through narrow spaces causing wind tunnels.

Question 40

How does replacing a previous micro climate with an urban micro climate affect the precipitation?

Answer 40

Precipitation rates much higher as the increased dust and pollution causes higher rates of condensation. Higher temperatures cause higher convectional rainfall, snow is unlikely.

Question 41

Why is relative humidity lower in urban areas?

Answer 41

Urban areas have fewer water bodies and less vegetation, so less moisture enters the air. Higher temperatures in cities mean the air can hold more water vapor. This spreads the moisture out, making the air feel less humid, even if the actual amount of water vapor hasn’t changed.

Question 42

What is the atmospheric tipping point?

Answer 42

A threshold that if we exceed could result in drastic irreversible climate change.

Question 43

What are the predicted environmental and economic impacts of exceed the atmospheric tipping point?

Answer 43

- Extreme weather events and heat related mortality will increase rapidly - Ecosystems will be threatened insects which are vital for pollination will lose their habitats. - Coastal flooding due to sea level rise.

Question 44

How can we adapt to help cope with a new environment rather than preventing climate change?

Answer 44

- using GM technology to develop drought resident crops - managing coastlines that are at risk of sea level rises e.g., replanting mangroves - investing in various forms of water storage

Question 45

How can we mitigate on a local and global scale to help prevent climate change?

Answer 45

- setting targets to reduce green house gas emissions by developing a global framework. - Switching from fossil fuels to recyclable and renewable sources of energy - Capturing carbon emissions.