Chapter 3: Weather and Extreme Weather

Chapter 3:
Weather and Extreme Weather

Section A: Weather

1.

The type of weather of any place depends on a range of factors. The most important of these is latitude.

(a) What is latitude? (1 mark)

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(b) Draw an annotated diagram to show why temperatures are hottest at the Equator and coldest at the North and South Poles. You must use the following words on your diagram: axis, tilt, angle, distance. (4 marks)

(c) The seas and oceans around Europe have a big influence on the weather. Places near the coast are generally warmer and wetter than areas further inland. Explain why. (4 marks)

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2.

(a) What do all types of precipitation have in common? (1 mark)

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(b) What two main processes are needed to create precipitation? (2 marks)

(i) ______

(ii) ______

(c) Explain what each of these means: (4 marks)

(i) Prevailing wind ______

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(ii) Windward side ______

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(iii) Leeward side ______

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(iv) Rain shadow ______

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(d) Add annotated labels to the diagram below to explain how relief rainfall is formed. Include all four terms listed in part (a). (4 marks)

3.

(a) The majority of the weather experienced in the UK, Netherlands and other countries on the western edge of Europe is brought from the west by the prevailing winds. Describe the weather brought by this air mass in summer and winter and explain why. (4 marks)

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(b) Describe the link between winds, low pressure and high pressure. (1 mark)

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(c) What is: (2 marks)

(i) an isobar ______

(ii) a millibar ______

(d) Complete the table next to the weather map showing a depression (cyclone). Cross out the incorrect answers. (5 marks)

4.

(a) Name the seven main weather elements for which regular measurements are made and recorded. (2 marks)

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(b) Explain three reasons why accurate weather forecasting is important. (3 marks)

(i) ______

(ii) ______

(iii) ______

(c) Why are satellite images so important for meteorologists? Include an example of a named weather system or event to support your answer. (4 marks)

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(d) What is the name of your national meteorology service? Describe its main areas of work.
(4 marks)

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(Total = 45 marks)

Section B: Extreme Weather

1.

(a) Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are all names for storms which reach 119 kph. Describe where in the world each occurs. (3 marks)

(i) hurricanes: ______

(ii) typhoons: ______

(iii) cyclones: ______

(b) Tick the statements about tropical storms which are correct. (3 marks)

• Are areas of high pressure

• Need ocean temperatures of at least 30°C to form

• Only form during a few months of the year

• Have a calm, central area called the vortex

• Rotates inwards as it rises upwards

• Can reach speeds up to 250 kph

(c) Describe two types of damage or problems tropical storms can cause. (4 marks)

(i) From high winds:

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(ii) From flooding:

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2.

Read the paragraph below.

The rain had been battering against the house all day. It hammered down without stopping from a jet black sky. I’d done the best I could to protect my home – boarding up the windows and securing everything I could. I could feel the wind getting stronger and stronger. The noise grew louder and louder as the rain hit the tin roof and the wind shook and rattled the entire house. The rain sounded like someone had turned on a high pressure hose. As the wind grew even stronger, it started to blow water through a tiny gap between the wall and the floor. The inside of the house was starting to get wet, but the hurricane still wasn’t at full force …

(a)

Either: (6 marks)

(i) continue the story from this person’s point of view, until the hurricane died down.

OR

(ii) describe what happened to the people living in this area once the hurricane had gone.

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(b) Tornadoes are also called twisters. Explain why this is a good word to describe a tornado.
(1 mark)

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(c) Describe two ways in which tornadoes are different to hurricanes. (2 marks)

(i) ______

(ii) ______

(d) Why is it almost impossible to predict tornadoes and to prevent them causing damage?
(2 marks)

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3.

(a) Describe the track (route) taken by the storm which became hurricane Katrina between 24–31st August. (3 marks)

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(b)

(i) What was the lowest pressure recorded? (1 mark)

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(ii) Where and when was this? (1 mark)

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(c) Between which dates was it classed as a hurricane? (1 mark)

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(d) Why was the damage done to New Orleans so bad? Include these words in your answer: delta, levees, storm surge, winds. (5 marks)

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4.

(a)

(i) What does ‘El Nino’ mean? (1 mark)

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(ii) Why was it given this name? (1 mark)

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(iii) What is the full term used to describe this event? (1 mark)

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(b) Study the diagram below. It shows normal weather patterns across the Pacific Ocean.

Draw a second labelled diagram to show how weather conditions change during an El Nino event
(4 marks)

(c) What extreme weather does this cause in: (2 marks)

(i) Australia ______

(ii) South America ______

(d) Why do scientists think that El Nino events may be linked to climate change? (2 marks)

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5.

(a) Give two reasons why coastal flooding has been a constant problem in the Netherlands.
(2 marks)

(i) ______

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(ii) ______

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(b) Describe the sequence of events from 31st January to 1st February 1953 which caused over 1800 deaths in the Netherlands. Include the following words in your answer: storm, North Sea, spring tide, strong winds and dykes. (4 marks)

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(c) Why was it difficult to warn people that flooding was likely to happen? (2 marks)

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(d) What happened as a result of the floods: (4 marks)

(i) in the short term

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(ii) in the long term

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(Total = 55 marks)

Section A = 45 marks

Section B = 55 marks

Total = 100 marks

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