UK Weather Hazards / Extreme Weather

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  • Created by: rachmhw
  • Created on: 09-04-19 15:07
what type of weather does the UK experience?
rain, wind, snow/ice, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, drought
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explain how rain can affect the UK
too much rain in too short a time = flooding = damage to homes, disrupts transport, death by drowning, businesses close, economic cost for recovery
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explain how wind can affect the UK
strong winds = damage property, disrupt transport, uproot trees, debris can injure/kill people, forests damaged
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where are winds the strongest?
in coastal areas, west coast/ upland areas
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explain how snow/ice can affect the UK
snow/ice = injuries due to slipping, death due to the cold, schools/businesses closed, disrupts transport, economic impacts from traveling, damage crops and plants
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explain how thunderstorms can affect the UK
heavy rain, lightning, strong winds = death, fires, damaged property/environment. Happen in summer
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explain how hailstorms can affect the UK
driving is dangerous, damage property, destroy crops
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explain how heat waves can affect the UK
long periods of hot weather = death from heat exhaustion/ breathing difficulties, disrupts transport, economic impact to re-tarmac melted roads, tourism may benefit from hot weather
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explain how droughts can affect the UK
lack of precipitation = lack of water supplies, economic impact of crop failures, rules to conserve water put in place
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how has temperature in the UK become more extreme?
temperatures have become more extreme e.g. 2010 coldest winter (snow/ice = deaths) and April 2011 warmest on record
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how is weather becoming more extreme in the UK?
extreme temperatures, more rain, more storms
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how has rain in the UK become more extreme?
rainfall records broken in 2010-2014 than in any decade. 2013 was the wettest years. Dec 2015 was the wettest month
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how has more storms in the UK become more extreme?
causes major flooding. E.g. floods caused by storms in the Somerset Levels during 2015-16, in west Wales 2012 and in Cumbria in 2005
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Example of UK extreme weather (case study)
Extreme cold in Nov - Dec 2010`
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what happened during Nov-Dec 2010?
a long period of heavy snow and very cold weather across the UK
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Why were there very cold temps in Nov-Dec 2010?
cold air from northern Europe and Siberia causes 2 long periods of very cold weather with a brief thaw in between
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What were the social impacts of the extreme cold in 2010?
several deaths from hypothermia/accidents due to icy roads, water pipes frozen + burst = 40000 homes etc left without water, schools closed a lot (7000 closed on the 2nd Dec)
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What were the economic impacts of the extreme cold in 2010?
transport networks disrupted e.g. M8 closed for 2 days, people trapped in cars for 15h, trains and flights cancelled. people unable to go to work = affecting economy, 2010 Christmas sales were down, £1.6billion impact, GDP down by 5%
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What were the environmental impacts of the extreme cold in 2010?
snow covered almost all of UK (max >50cm), frost damaged crops, use of gas and electricity doubled = increasing CO2 emissions
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what strategies were used to reduce the risk of weather hazards?
prediction, protection and planning
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how did prediction help?
warning systems gave time to prepare e.g. Met Office warned at beginning of Nov
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how did protection help?
individuals and local authorities prepared beforehand e.g stock up of gritters, salt supplies
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how did planning help?
emergency services and local councils planned to deal with weather in advance e.g. plans to close schools when too dangerous
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

explain how rain can affect the UK

Back

too much rain in too short a time = flooding = damage to homes, disrupts transport, death by drowning, businesses close, economic cost for recovery

Card 3

Front

explain how wind can affect the UK

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

where are winds the strongest?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

explain how snow/ice can affect the UK

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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