Physical Geography-Weather Hazards
- Created by: spencer.nhyira
- Created on: 12-04-18 20:26
Describe the distribution of tropical storms
Tropical storms are called hurricanes around the Americas and they occur between August-October at 30^ North.
Tropical storms are called typhoons around South-East Asia and they occur between June-November at 30^ North.
Tropical storms are called tropical cyclones around Australia and they occur between November-April at 30^S.
How does a tropical storm form?
- Usually occur over tropical seas (at least 27^)
- The warm ocean heats the air above it causing it to rise rapidly.
- Water evaporates quickly from the hot surface of the ocean so contains a lot of water vapour.
- The rising air starts to spin clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The eye is calm and as the air rises it cools, condenses and forms cumulonimbus clouds.
- The rapidly rising air creates an area of intense low pressure which sucks in air and causes
- strong winds.
- Once the storm moves over land it starts to lose energy and fade.
How can tropical storms be affected by global warm
- Most sea levels stay at 27^ or more (due to global warming) so more tropical storms will occur.
- Wind speeds potentially increase from 2 to 11 %.
- Rainfall rates during storms are projected to increase by about 20%.
How to reduce the effects of tropical storms
Monitoring and Predicting- The National Hurricane Centre in Miami keeps daily records of storms growing in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Able to see where the storm is headed and its magnitude so they can see how it will affect the land and infrastructure.
Planning- Storm drains are constructed in urban areas in hurricane zones.
- The drains can cope with huge volumes of water which reduces the risk of surface flooding. Allows emergency services to respond to damage quicker.
Protection-Early warning systems are put in place in LICs and HICs to advise people when to evacuate.
- Help to reduce fatalities as it allows more people to evacuate from targeted areas.
Case Study- Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines
Primary Effects - Tablocan Aiport terminal badly damaged.
- The typhoon destroyed 30,000 fishing boats.
- Strong winds destroyed crops.
Secondary Effects - Flooding blocked roads cutting off aid
- Ferry services and airline flights disrupted.
- Jobs lost, hospitals damaged, shops and schools and destroyed.
Immediate Responses
- 1200 evacuation centres help the homeless
- Philippines Red Cross delivered basic food aid.
Long-term Responses
- People paid to help clear debris and rebuild the city.
- Rice farming and fishing were quickly established.
How extreme weather events can be managed
Prediction - Warning systems give people time to prepare for extreme weather.
e.g. The Met Office warned people about the snow at the start of November.
Protection - Individuals and local authorities prepared for extreme weather before it happened.
e.g. Councils stocked up on gritters and salt supplies to keep roads safe and open in cold weather.
Planning - Emergency services and local councils planned how to deal with extreme weather events in advance.
e.g. They made plans to close schools when it would be too dangerous to travel.
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