Geography Case Study - UK Snow Storm
- Created by: michaelhall10
- Created on: 24-02-16 09:07
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- UK Snow Storm Case Study.
- Causes.
- Blocking high pressure forced the Gulf stream to move South.
- The Gulf Stream usually give the UK a relatively mild climate compared to other countries
- High pressure systems rotating clockwise in the North and low pressure systems moving anti-clockwise in the South drew in cold air for Europe
- Air in Europe is colder due to the low specific heat capacity of land.
- As this air moves over the Sea towards Britain it warms up and picks up moisture.
- Blocking high pressure forced the Gulf stream to move South.
- Environmental Impacts.
- 76cm of Snow was recorded in the Peak District of the UK
- Tempratures reached a minimum of -21.1C
- Social Impacts.
- Health
- Many people suffered from Broken bones and fractures due to the falling on Ice.
- There were over 5000 reported cases of Hypothermia with many elderly suffering and in some cases dying.
- Transport
- Gatwik had to be closed for two days due to dramatic ice build up on both the runway and the plains.
- This left thousands of travelers stranded and cost Gatwik £5.5 million a day.
- Many people were left stranded on motorways due to extensive snow fall.
- M3, M5 and M6 were all brought to a stand still.
- Many people had to be rescued from their cars and were trapped overnight.
- Estimated that the total cost to the economy because of travel disruption was £285 million
- Gatwik had to be closed for two days due to dramatic ice build up on both the runway and the plains.
- Education
- Around 7000 school were closed on the second of Decembre
- Many parents would have to stay at home to look after their kids which also had a knock on effect with the economy.
- Health
- Economic Impacts.
- The estimated cost of the Snow storm to the UK was £1.6 Bn
- The cost to the transport industry was £285 million
- The Snow fell on the run up to Christmas meaning the worst effect were retailers who saw a fall in the number of people venturing out into the cold.
- As well as this many deliveries couldn't be made due to the closing of roads meaning supermarkets looked decidedly empty.
- Responses.
- Gatwik spent over £10 million on deicing equipment for both the plains and the run ways.
- Although it is argued that this type of event is so rare that the £10 million is a waste of money.
- Scotland sent thousands of liters of fresh water to Ireland in response to the breaking of pipes and disruption to the water lines.
- The UK had to import 100 thousand tonnes of Gritting Salt to be spread on the roads due to a low reserve in storage.
- Gatwik spent over £10 million on deicing equipment for both the plains and the run ways.
- Causes.
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