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Weather and Climate
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Weather and Climate
Definitions
- Maritime climate- When a region's climate is influenced by its position near the sea
- Seasonality- When there are differences in heat distributions for the seasons due to the tilt of the earth as well as its revolution around the sun
- Precipitation- Rain, snowfall or sleet
- Latitude- The distance north or south of the equator
- Altitude- Height above sea level
- Air pressure- The weight of the air pressing down on the Earth's surface
- Weather- The day to day atmospheric conditions over a small area
- Climate- The weather taken on average over many years over a large scale area
- Continentality- Distance from the sea. A location's proximity to the sea affects its temperature and how often it rains
- Isobar- A line joining places of equal pressure
- Drought- A prolonged period of time which receives significantly less rainfall than usual
- Isobar- A line joining places of equal pressure
- Continentality- Distance from the sea. A location's proximity to the sea affects its temperature and how often it rains
- Climate- The weather taken on average over many years over a large scale area
- Weather- The day to day atmospheric conditions over a small area
- Air pressure- The weight of the air pressing down on the Earth's surface
- Altitude- Height above sea level
- Latitude- The distance north or south of the equator
- Precipitation- Rain, snowfall or sleet
- Seasonality- When there are differences in heat distributions for the seasons due to the tilt of the earth as well as its revolution around the sun
- Maritime climate- When a region's climate is influenced by its position near the sea
The UK's Climate
- The UK generally has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters, warm summers and high total rainfall
- Air masses- Large volumes of air which travel from one area to another
- Tropical Maritime- Mild winters, warm summers, frequent periods of rain. Very common and lasts throughout the year
- Polar Maritime- Cool summers, cold winters, frequent periods of rain. This mainly affects the UK in the winter
- Arctic- Very cold conditions in winter +lots of snow. Affects the UK for short periods
- Polar Continental- Very cold and dry conditions in winter+ settled hot conditions in summer. Doesn't last long
- Tropical Continental- Hot and dry conditions. Ocassionally affects the UK
- Polar Continental- Very cold and dry conditions in winter+ settled hot conditions in summer. Doesn't last long
- Arctic- Very cold conditions in winter +lots of snow. Affects the UK for short periods
- Polar Maritime- Cool summers, cold winters, frequent periods of rain. This mainly affects the UK in the winter
- Tropical Maritime- Mild winters, warm summers, frequent periods of rain. Very common and lasts throughout the year
- Jet Streams- Ribbons of strong winds which move weather systems around the world
- Cold air masses= High pressure due to less evaporation so less rainfall so more settled weather
- Hot air masses= More evaporation so low pressure so more rainfall so more unsettled weather
- Cold air masses= High pressure due to less evaporation so less rainfall so more settled weather
- Why the UK has a mild and wet climate
- Distance from sea- The sea takes longer to heat up than land and can retain heat for longer as it cools down more slowly than land. Britain gets cool summers and warm winters as it is surrounded by the sea
- Low pressure- This is often caused by maritime air masses as well as the UK's prevailing winds coming from the Gulf of Mexico in the south west. Thus more water can evaporate and condense so more precipitation is formed in the UK. Also, as the UK receives different air masses, the UK experiences lots of frontal rainfall due to two different air fronts
- Prevailing Winds- GB receives prevailing winds from south west so it has cool summers and warm winters
- Low pressure- This is often caused by maritime air masses as well as the UK's prevailing winds coming from the Gulf of Mexico in the south west. Thus more water can evaporate and condense so more precipitation is formed in the UK. Also, as the UK receives different air masses, the UK experiences lots of frontal rainfall due to two different air fronts
- Distance from sea- The sea takes longer to heat up than land and can retain heat for longer as it cools down more slowly than land. Britain gets cool summers and warm winters as it is surrounded by the sea
Global Atmospheric Circulation Model
- Air sinking towards ground=high pressure. Winds on ground move out of these areas
- Air rising from ground=low pressure. Winds on ground move towards these areas
- Winds on ground are distorted by rotation of earth- Coriolis Effect. Surface winds help transfer heat and moisture from one place to another
- Pressure belts are affected by seasonal changes. Tilt+ rotation of earth change relative position of sun. So seasonal changes cause pressure belts and winds to move north during our summer and south in our winter
- On equator there is low pressure so tropical climate. High pressure at poles causes cold, dry climate. UK is just below 60°N latitude so air pressure here is low as air rises, which cools and condenses, forms clouds and rain
- If air next to ground is heated, it rises, causing low pressure
- If air in atmosphere is cooled, it sinks to ground, causing high pressure
- If air next to ground is heated, it rises, causing low pressure
- On equator there is low pressure so tropical climate. High pressure at poles causes cold, dry climate. UK is just below 60°N latitude so air pressure here is low as air rises, which cools and condenses, forms clouds and rain
- Pressure belts are affected by seasonal changes. Tilt+ rotation of earth change relative position of sun. So seasonal changes cause pressure belts and winds to move north during our summer and south in our winter
- Winds on ground are distorted by rotation of earth- Coriolis Effect. Surface winds help transfer heat and moisture from one place to another
- Air rising from ground=low pressure. Winds on ground move towards these areas
- Air sinking towards ground=high pressure. Winds on ground move out of these areas
Factors Affecting Climate
- Latitude- As the earth is curved, the sun always shines directly at the equator so its heat is concentrated in a small area, making it hot. At poles, sun is low so heat always spread over wide area=low temp. More heat also lost in atmopshere near poles due to low angle of sun
- Distance from sea-The sea takes longer to heat up than land and can retain heat for longer as it cools down more slowly than land. Britain gets cool summers and warm winters as it is surrounded by the sea. Western Britain warmer than east as it is surrounded by Atlantic Ocean
- Prevailing winds- They bring warm/cool weather as they pass through warm/cool surfaces (land warm in summer, sea arm in winter)
- Ocean Currents-Coastal areas are affected by this. North Atlantic Drift from the Gulf of Mexico keeps the west coast of GB warmer in winter due to warm currents.
- Altitude- Temperatures decerase by 1C every 100m in height. Windchill factors in mountains also make them cool so snow in mountains for long time
- Aspect- It is the direction of a slope and affects amount of sun received. South-facing slopes are warmer than north-facing slopes
- Altitude- Temperatures decerase by 1C every 100m in height. Windchill factors in mountains also make them cool so snow in mountains for long time
- Ocean Currents-Coastal areas are affected by this. North Atlantic Drift from the Gulf of Mexico keeps the west coast of GB warmer in winter due to warm currents.
- Prevailing winds- They bring warm/cool weather as they pass through warm/cool surfaces (land warm in summer, sea arm in winter)
- Distance from sea-The sea takes longer to heat up than land and can retain heat for longer as it cools down more slowly than land. Britain gets cool summers and warm winters as it is surrounded by the sea. Western Britain warmer than east as it is surrounded by Atlantic Ocean
- Latitude- As the earth is curved, the sun always shines directly at the equator so its heat is concentrated in a small area, making it hot. At poles, sun is low so heat always spread over wide area=low temp. More heat also lost in atmopshere near poles due to low angle of sun
Rainfall
- Relief Rainfall- Warm saturated air from sea inland. When there is coastla mountain barrier, air is forced to rise above it+ it cools down and condenses at dew point so rain. Once air descends, it warms so rain stops. Rain shadow is protected side of mountain
- Frontal Rainfall- Warm, moist air from tropics meet cold dry air from polar. Warm air rises over cooler air+ condenses due to different densities of air masses. Most depressions have tow fronts so two periods of rainfall. West Coast in GB=more rain due to depressions from Atlantic Ocean
- Convectional Rainfall- Ground heated by sun so air expands+ rises. Wet ground=rapid evaporation. Hot air cools, condenses, forms cumulonimbus clouds. Frequently happens in equator
- Frontal Rainfall- Warm, moist air from tropics meet cold dry air from polar. Warm air rises over cooler air+ condenses due to different densities of air masses. Most depressions have tow fronts so two periods of rainfall. West Coast in GB=more rain due to depressions from Atlantic Ocean
- Relief Rainfall- Warm saturated air from sea inland. When there is coastla mountain barrier, air is forced to rise above it+ it cools down and condenses at dew point so rain. Once air descends, it warms so rain stops. Rain shadow is protected side of mountain
The ITCZ
- Inter-tropical convergence zone= Areas of low atmospheric pressure with high rainfall totals
- The ITCZ occurs near the equator between the two Hadley cells
- Here the sun's radiation is most intense, so tropical air rises, becomes less dense so low pressure. It condenses, forms cumulonimbus clouds, so heavy rain
- Due to the tilt of the earth, the ITCZ moves north during our summer solstice and south during our winter solstice
- Rainfall in ITCZ is regular and heavy and is perfect for rainforest ecosystems
- ITCZ brings convectional rain and thunderstorms
- Some areas in the world have a wet and dry season. Areas are dry when the ITCZ moves away from them due to high pressure
- ITCZ brings convectional rain and thunderstorms
- Rainfall in ITCZ is regular and heavy and is perfect for rainforest ecosystems
- Due to the tilt of the earth, the ITCZ moves north during our summer solstice and south during our winter solstice
- Here the sun's radiation is most intense, so tropical air rises, becomes less dense so low pressure. It condenses, forms cumulonimbus clouds, so heavy rain
- The ITCZ occurs near the equator between the two Hadley cells
- Inter-tropical convergence zone= Areas of low atmospheric pressure with high rainfall totals
Anticyclones
- Areas of high pressure
- If air pressure is high, it means that cool air is sinking.
- This brings clear skies and no clouds and settled weather, no wind, little to no rain
- Formation of anticyclones:
- They form when air is descending
- Descending air is warming, so it picks up mositure rather than condensing
- Lack of condensation=few clouds form
- As air descends, pressure increases as mass is heavy
- As there is little difference in pressure, only very light winds are produced. They blow clockwise
- As air descends, pressure increases as mass is heavy
- Lack of condensation=few clouds form
- Descending air is warming, so it picks up mositure rather than condensing
- They form when air is descending
- Formation of anticyclones:
- This brings clear skies and no clouds and settled weather, no wind, little to no rain
- If air pressure is high, it means that cool air is sinking.
- Seasonal impacts of anticyclones
- Summer
- No clouds=no rain= could cause droughts
- No clouds in way so could get sunburnt
- No cloud to trap heat=cool evenings and cold nights
- No clouds in way so could get sunburnt
- No clouds=no rain= could cause droughts
- Winter
- No cloud= ground cools fast at night so air cools so water vapour condenses and freezes, forming frost
- No clouds to act as blanket so days are cold, clear and bright
- Water vapour condenses on dust and other air particles, forming fog so driving conditions difficult
- No clouds to act as blanket so days are cold, clear and bright
- No cloud= ground cools fast at night so air cools so water vapour condenses and freezes, forming frost
- Summer
- Areas of high pressure
Depressions
- Areas of ,ow pressure, which bring rain, cloud and wind
- They from when warm, moist air meets cold dry air and the air masses don't mix so the warm air is forced to rise
- When warm air rises, it condenses, forms clouds, causing lots of rainfall
- They from when warm, moist air meets cold dry air and the air masses don't mix so the warm air is forced to rise
- Sequence of weather with a depression
- Ahead of the warm front cirrus clouds begin to form because of the lighter warm air being forced to rise above the denser cold air.
- A thick sheet of cloud (nimbostratus rain clouds) then develops and heavy, prolonged, steady rain begins to fall due to the moisture in the rising warm air condensing
- In between the fronts (the warm sector) the temperature increases and the rain stops
- The warm air is now at ground level and is not being forced to rise.
- As the cold front arrives, dense cold air undercuts lighter, warmer air forcing it to rise.
- Tall cumulonimbus clouds begin to develop and there is heavy rain and often thunder storms.
- Once the cold front has passed temperatures begin to fall and the weather is a mixture of sunshine and showers.
- Tall cumulonimbus clouds begin to develop and there is heavy rain and often thunder storms.
- As the cold front arrives, dense cold air undercuts lighter, warmer air forcing it to rise.
- The warm air is now at ground level and is not being forced to rise.
- In between the fronts (the warm sector) the temperature increases and the rain stops
- A thick sheet of cloud (nimbostratus rain clouds) then develops and heavy, prolonged, steady rain begins to fall due to the moisture in the rising warm air condensing
- Ahead of the warm front cirrus clouds begin to form because of the lighter warm air being forced to rise above the denser cold air.
- Areas of ,ow pressure, which bring rain, cloud and wind
Drought in California- 2015
- Causes
- Less snow in winter=less melted snow in summer
- Farmers digging into ground to abstract water from aquifers
- Overuse of water due to higher population
- Below average rainfall
- Overuse of water due to higher population
- Farmers digging into ground to abstract water from aquifers
- Less snow in winter=less melted snow in summer
- Impacts
- Homeowners told to stop using water pipes to wash their gardens as hosepipes were banned= angry people
- State govt paid $687 million of its savings to compensate farmers and homeowners. This money could have been used for other much needed projects
- Salmon and trout died in San Joaquin River Delta due to less oxygen for fish sue to higher water temperatures
- the state lost 17,000 agricultural jobs
- Food shortages caused food prices to rise by 6% in shops. More food imported
- the state lost 17,000 agricultural jobs
- Salmon and trout died in San Joaquin River Delta due to less oxygen for fish sue to higher water temperatures
- State govt paid $687 million of its savings to compensate farmers and homeowners. This money could have been used for other much needed projects
- Homeowners told to stop using water pipes to wash their gardens as hosepipes were banned= angry people
- Responses
- Fines for household who overuse water= deterrent for water overuse but many people would feel angry and restricted, making it harder to enforce laws
- Building more reservoirs/dams to store water= more water can be stored and hydroelectricity can be generated but too costly
- Cleaning old sewage water to make it potable= less costly than desalination and reduces water waste but people may not be willing as they may think it as unhygienic
- Building more reservoirs/dams to store water= more water can be stored and hydroelectricity can be generated but too costly
- Fines for household who overuse water= deterrent for water overuse but many people would feel angry and restricted, making it harder to enforce laws
- Causes
Typhoon Haiyan
- How do tropical storms form?
- You need warm moist air over 26C, warm tropical oceans over 27C and over 70m depth, winds converging on ocean surface so air can rise, formation away from the equator do Coriolis effect will cause the storm to rotate
- 1. Warm air from thunderstorms and the surface of the ocean combine and rise to form low pressure. They condense to form towering clouds
- 2. warm air rises faster and faster so pressure decreases at higher altitudes. Low pressure sucks air in from the warmer surroundings, which also rises. Warm and wet air continuously rises
- Air is ejected to the top of the storm and falls to the outside of the storm. In the centre, the eye, there is good conditions as in the middle, the air descends
- Trade winds cause the storm to rotate in an anticlockwise direction
- Outer edge of hurricane is a spiralling cortex, with high rain and high winds
- As hurricane moves across the ocean, it picks up more moisture and increases its speed
- Outer edge of hurricane is a spiralling cortex, with high rain and high winds
- Trade winds cause the storm to rotate in an anticlockwise direction
- Air is ejected to the top of the storm and falls to the outside of the storm. In the centre, the eye, there is good conditions as in the middle, the air descends
- 2. warm air rises faster and faster so pressure decreases at higher altitudes. Low pressure sucks air in from the warmer surroundings, which also rises. Warm and wet air continuously rises
- 1. Warm air from thunderstorms and the surface of the ocean combine and rise to form low pressure. They condense to form towering clouds
- You need warm moist air over 26C, warm tropical oceans over 27C and over 70m depth, winds converging on ocean surface so air can rise, formation away from the equator do Coriolis effect will cause the storm to rotate
- Causes
- High sea surface temperatures
- Wind speeds reaching 196mph
- Affected coastal regions were barely 1m above sea level
- Made landfall on 8th November 2013
- Affected coastal regions were barely 1m above sea level
- Wind speeds reaching 196mph
- High sea surface temperatures
- Impacts
- Primary
- 10,000 deaths
- 495,000 homes damaged
- Salination of rice paddy farmland= loss of crops
- Millions of uprooted trees released 105,000kt of carbon into atmosphere
- Salination of rice paddy farmland= loss of crops
- 495,000 homes damaged
- 10,000 deaths
- Secondary
- Survivors fear looters and criminals, who have escaped jail
- With many homeless people, there is crowded living conditions and lack of sanitation, which could lead to outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera
- Many fishing boats smashed led to loss of livelihoods and employment for fishermen
- Overall economic cost was $15 billion
- Many fishing boats smashed led to loss of livelihoods and employment for fishermen
- With many homeless people, there is crowded living conditions and lack of sanitation, which could lead to outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera
- Survivors fear looters and criminals, who have escaped jail
- Primary
- Responses
- Immediate
- WHO provided water purification tablets= prevents water-borne diseases and makes water drinkable but it is not accessible to everyone and does not tackle the salination of farms
- Thousands of people were evacuated before the storm but many evacuation centres could not withstand the storm, despite it providing shelter to many.
- WHO provided water purification tablets= prevents water-borne diseases and makes water drinkable but it is not accessible to everyone and does not tackle the salination of farms
- Long term
- The UN distributed 4000 tonnes of fertiliser to more than 80,000 rice farming families= tackles food insecurity but the yield of rice would still be less due to salination of fields
- FAO commitment of $30 million long term aid to rebuild rural fishing industries= increases employment so they can provide for families but the fishing industry will alwyas be at risk to storms
- The UN distributed 4000 tonnes of fertiliser to more than 80,000 rice farming families= tackles food insecurity but the yield of rice would still be less due to salination of fields
- Immediate
- How can tropical storm impacts be reduced?
- Levees= raising ridges to increase water capacity levels to prevents storm surges and coastal flooding but levees can be breached and worsen the problem
- Weather forecasting= Predicting storms can alert more people so they can prepare food and medical supplies and can evacuate, reducing teh number of deaths
- Levees= raising ridges to increase water capacity levels to prevents storm surges and coastal flooding but levees can be breached and worsen the problem
- How do tropical storms form?
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- Mind Map on Weather and Climate, created by Meghna Ranjit Nair on 24/12/2022.
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- Meghna Ranjit Nair
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