Chapter 3: Weather and Extreme Weather Answers

Chapter 3:
Weather and Extreme Weather Answers

Section A: Weather

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)

The distance north or south of the Equator

(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: suggest 1 each for annotations relating to the 4 words / some leeway depending on detail. Full marks if annotations fully explain temperature differences, similar to original diagram in the student book (see below))

(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.For all 4 marks, students need to explain the differences in detail e.g.:

•Water warms up and cools down more slowly than land

•Places close to the sea warm up more slowly, so are cooler than inland during the day

•At night, water loses the heat it has gained more slowly than land does, so areas along the coast are usually warmer at night than places inland

•Coastal areas are wetter as prevailing winds bring moisture, which falls along the coast, especially if it has to rise up over higher ground

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

They all involve deposition of moisture/water (in various forms) from clouds

(b)What two main processes are needed to create precipitation? (2 x 1 mark)

Evaporation and condensation

(c)Explain what each of these means:(4 x 1 mark)

(i)Prevailing wind the main or predominate direction from which the wind blows

(ii)Windward side the side of e.g. a hill or mountain which faces the direction from which the wind is coming

(iii)Leeward side the far side of e.g. a hill or mountain, facing away from the direction from which the wind is coming

(iv)Rain shadow a relatively dry area on the far side of a hill or mountain (usually the leeward side) where rainfall is lower

(d)Add annotated labels to the diagram below to explain how relief rainfall is formed. Include all four terms listed in part (a).(1 mark each for correct use and placing of the 4 terms from (c) provided overall explanation is clear/complete = total of 4 marks)

(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 = 2 for description and 2 for explanation)

Description: In summer it brings warm wet weather. In winter it brings cool, wet weather.

Explanation: The air mass is moving across the Atlantic Ocean, so collects and carries moisture. The waters are warm in summer, but not too cold in winter (North Atlantic Drift) so temperatures are not very cold, even in winter

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

Air always moves from high pressure areas to low pressure areas – so winds always blow from high to lowpressure.

(c)What is: (2 x 1 mark)

(i)an isobar is a line joining up points of equal pressure

(ii)a millibar is the unit used to measure pressure

(d)Complete the table next to the weather map showing a depression (cyclone). Cross out the incorrect answers.(10 x ½ mark each.)

/ Pressure:
•Lowest / highest in the centre
•Lowest / highest on the edge
Isobars:
•Close together / far apart
Winds:
•Often strong / light
•Blow outwards / inwards
•Blow clockwise / anticlockwise
Warm front weather:
•Cold / warm
•heavy showers / steady rain
Cold front weather:
•Steady rain / short heavy showers
Type of rainfall:
•Convectional / frontal

(a)Name the seven main weather elements for which regular measurements are made and recorded. (1 mark for 5-7 correct, 2 for all 6)

Temperature, air pressure, precipitation, cloud cover, humidity, sunshine, wind speed and wind direction

(b)Explain three reasons why accurate weather forecasting is important. (3 x 1 mark)

•Rescue services have to prepare to respond to severe weather events

•Shipping and aircraft may not be able to operate in bad weather, so need to have accurate forecasts to plot safe routes

•Roads need to be gritted if snow is forecast

•Other industries e.g. retailers adjust their stock levels to suit the weather

•Water restrictions may be needed if long periods of dry weather are forecast

•If forecasts are inaccurate it can cost lives and money

(c)Why are satellite images so important for meteorologists? Include an example of a named weather system or event to support your answer.(3 + 1 or 2+ 2 marks depending on detail. Max 3 if no named example.)

Sample answer:

Monitoring and therefore trying to predict the strength and path of e.g. hurricanes can save lives. Evacuation plans can be put in place and property protected if meteorologists can predict where and when a hurricane may hit. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was tracked via satellite and 80% of New Orleans evacuated ahead of the floods and high winds it caused.

(d)What is the name of your national meteorology service? Describe its main areas of work.
(1 (name) + 3 marks for 3 types of work.)

In the Netherlands it is the KNMI. It works within a government department to:

•Collect and analyse weather data

•Provides weather forecasts, warnings and information

•Researches into weather and climate

•Shares data and research with other meteorological organisations in Europe and the world, including the IPCC

(Total = 45 marks)

Section B: Extreme Weather

(a)Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are all names for storms which reach 119kph. Describe where in the world each occurs. (3 x 1 marks)

(i)hurricanes: mainly between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer to the north – in the South Atlantic /Caribbean east of the Americas and in the east Pacific.

(ii)typhoons: Between the tropics along the west Pacific Ocean coast and across south east Asia.

(iii)cyclones: Between the tropics in the Indian Ocean around India, Bangladesh, the Middle East and east African coasts.

(b)Tick the statements about tropical storms which are correct. (3 x 1mark)

•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 250kph

(c)Describe two types of damage or problems tropical storms can cause. (2 x 2 marks)

E.g.

(i)From high winds:can bring down/damage trees, buildings, power and communication lines.Damage to power lines can cause fires. Deaths, injuries and homelessness can result.

(ii)From flooding: high winds which create storm surges and torrential rain both bring flooding, either from the coast or inland. Storm surges can damage and destroy sea defences as well as buildings and other infrastructure. Floods may trigger landslides and mudslides which can be deadly.

(a)

Either:(6 marks)

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

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

Student choice /open answer. 6 marks = should be a detailed description about the effects of the hurricane.

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

Tornadoes are thin funnel shaped storm clouds which spin or twist at speeds of over 400kph

(c)Describe two ways in which tornadoes are different to hurricanes.(2 x 1 mark)

•Much smaller

•Very difficult to predict

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

They develop from thunderstorms very quickly, so there is no time to evacuate. They are immensely powerful, so property cannot be protected.

(a)Describe the track (route) taken by the storm which became hurricane Katrina between 24–31stAugust. (3 marks) Must describe the entire track for full marks.

(b)

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

902mbs

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

500km south of New Orleans on 28th August 2005

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

26-30th August.

(d)Why was the damage done to New Orleans so bad? Include these words in your answer: delta, levees, storm surge, winds.(5 marks = 4 for using each word appropriately in the answer. E.g.:)

•New Orleans is located on the Mississippi delta. It is a flat, low-lying area mostly at sea level

•The city is protected from flooding by large levees – artificial embankments along the river and its distributaries

•The storm surge created by hurricane force winds severely damaged more than 50 levees, causing widespread flooding

•As a result over 80% of the city was under floodwater

(a)

(i)What does ‘El Nino’ mean?(1 mark)

Christ child or boy child

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

It happened around Christmas time

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

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

(b)Student diagram of changes in El Nino years. Should be similar to this (below). (4 marks = award mainly for each correct label/part of diagram.)

(c)What extreme weather does this cause in: (1 +1 mark. One weather type for each)

(i)Australia drought / dust storms.

(ii)South America flooding / landslides / mudslides / storms

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

(a)Give two reasons why coastal flooding has been a constant problem in the Netherlands.
(1 + 1 mark.)

•Much of the land is at or below sea level, especially in the west, resulting in coastal flooding

•Several major rivers flow into the North Sea via the delta in the south west, so inland flooding from these is also a major threat

(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.(Must have the full sequence and all the words for the full 4 marks.)

E.g.

•A fierce storm which had begun over Iceland moved down the North Sea from the north west

•The storm coincided with one of a high spring tide, creating waves up to 5m higher than normal

•As the surge moved south, it was funnelled into a much narrower space

•When it reached the coast of the Netherlands, the strong winds drove the water over the dykes and sea defences

•Many dykes (90) simply broke up under the pounding as the storm raged for 20 hours

•Water flooded large areas in the south of the country

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

•The worst of the storm and flooding happened overnight

•There were no weather warnings – this happened many years before news was broadcast round the clock. Few people outside the flooded region were aware of what was happening

(d)What happened as a result of the floods: (2 + 2 marks)

(i)in the short term: damaged housing was repaired or rebuilt; farms were rebuilt and restocked; roads and other essential infrastructure were repaired

(ii)in the long term: sea defences needed an overhaul – the floods led to the Delta Plan which shortened the coastline and built a number of storm barriers

(Total = 55 marks)

Section A = 45 marks

Section B = 55 marks

Total = 100marks