tropical storms

• What is the hottest part of the globe?

  Thermal Equator
• Why does temperature vary across the globe?

  Due to sun angle, atmosphere thickness, albedo
• What does albedo refer to?

  Reflection and scattering of sun’s rays
• What is the tropopause?

  Lower layer of the Earth’s atmosphere
• What is the Coriolis Effect?

  Change in direction of moving objects
• What is a jet stream?

  Narrow band of strong wind high above Earth
• What are surface winds?

  Movement of air across Earth's surface
• What are pressure belts?

  Regions dominated by high or low pressure
• How does air movement affect weather patterns?

  Causes different weather patterns globally
• What happens to moist, warm air at the Equator?

  It rises, causing low pressure and rain
• What occurs at 30°N/S of the equator?

  High pressure creates clear skies
• What is the Global Atmospheric Circulation Model?

  • Air heated at thermal equator rises
  • Creates low pressure at surface
  • Cools and condenses to form clouds
  • Sinks at 30°N/S creating high pressure
  • Moves back as trade winds completing Hadley Cell
• What is the temperature like at the Poles?

  Cold, causing air to sink
• What are Polar winds?

  Air traveling across the globe from the Poles
• What is the Ferrel cell?

  Thermally indirect cell responding to other cells
• What are surface winds known as in the northern hemisphere?

  Easterlies
• What is the importance of wind movement?

  Redistributes heat energy across the globe
• What are the conditions needed for tropical storm formation?

  • Sea temperatures above 26.5°C
  • Moisture/energy from ocean
  • Low rotation of Earth (Coriolis)
  • Low wind shear
• What wind speed classifies a storm as a hurricane?

  74 mph
• What predicted changes might occur in tropical storms?

  Frequency may decrease, intensity may increase
• What is a primary effect of a natural hazard?

  Immediate impact of the hazard
• What is a secondary effect of a natural hazard?

  Long-term impact following the hazard
• What is a short-term response to a natural disaster?

  Immediate reaction to the disaster
• What is a long-term response to a natural disaster?

  Reaction in weeks and months after
• What were the primary effects of Hurricane Katrina?

  • Levees broke, flooding 80% of New Orleans
  • 300,000 homes destroyed
  • 1,800 people died
  • 3 million without electricity
• What were the secondary effects of Hurricane Katrina?

  • National guard brought in due to violence
  • 50,000 people waited for evacuation
  • 230,000 jobs lost due to damage
• What were the short-term responses to Hurricane Katrina?

  • Coastguard helicopters rescued stranded people
  • Evacuations to the Superdome
  • Prisoners evacuated from Baton Rouge
• What methods are used for monitoring and planning to reduce tropical storm impacts?

  • Satellites
  • Tracking systems
  • Shelters
  • Education
  • Emergency plans
• What were the long-term responses to Hurricane Katrina?

  • $10.5 billion pledged for rebuilding
  • Communications rebuilt
  • 127,000 moved to long-term housing
  • 100 million m³ debris removed