1.3 Atmospheric Hazards

• Atmospheric hazards vary in scale, intensity, and duration.


  True
• What are examples of atmospheric hazards?

  Hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts
• What are the effects of hurricanes?

  High winds, storm surge
• The effects of storms can include significant damage to infrastructure.


  True
• What are the key characteristics of a hurricane?

  High wind speeds, rainfall, storm surge
• What are the primary effects of droughts?

  Water scarcity, agricultural losses
• What three factors contribute to the formation of hurricanes?

  Warm ocean temperatures, winds, Coriolis effect
• Order the causes of a hurricane from energy source to effect:

  1️⃣ Warm ocean temperatures

  2️⃣ Converging winds

  3️⃣ Coriolis effect

  4️⃣ Torrential rainfall and storm surge
• Air pressure differences create winds as air moves from high to low pressure
• Why are the effects of storms considered devastating?

  Damage, disruption, loss of life
• Droughts can lead to food insecurity and health risks for communities.

  True
• Extreme heat can cause roads to buckle and power lines to sag
• The scale of atmospheric hazards ranges from local to global
• Hurricanes are powerful rotating storms over warm ocean water
• Droughts are prolonged periods of little or no rainfall leading to water scarcity and agricultural losses.


  True
• Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused widespread flooding and destruction along the Gulf Coast of the United States.


  True
• High temperatures during a drought increase evaporation and decrease soil moisture
• What are two health risks associated with heatwaves?

  Heat stroke, dehydration
• Where do hurricanes most frequently occur?

  Tropical and subtropical regions
• Match the atmospheric hazard with its geographical distribution:

  Hurricanes ↔️ Tropical and subtropical regions

  Tornadoes ↔️ Central United States

  Thunderstorms ↔️ Widespread globally

  Droughts ↔️ Subtropical and semi-arid areas
• Hurricanes are powerful rotating storms over warm ocean water
• Tornadoes are violent swirling columns of air touching the ground
• Thunderstorms develop from warm, moist air rising in unstable atmospheric conditions
• What is the nature of atmospheric hazards?

  Meteorology
• Tornadoes are violent swirling columns of air that touch the ground
• What is a heatwave?

  Extended period of extreme heat
• Tornadoes are often caused by intense thunderstorms and wind shear.


  True
• What conditions are necessary for the formation of winter storms?

  Cold temperatures, ample moisture
• Match the storm type with its key effect:

  Hurricanes ↔️ Storm surges, flooding

  Tornadoes ↔️ Localized destruction

  Thunderstorms ↔️ Lightning strikes, heavy rain

  Winter Storms ↔️ Snowfall, blizzards
• What are the main causes of droughts?

  Lack of rainfall, high temperatures
• What was the impact of the 2011 drought in East Africa?

  Crop failure, food shortages
• The 2003 European heatwave resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths.

  True
• How long can atmospheric hazards last?

  Days to years
• Thunderstorms are local storms with heavy rain, lightning, and thunder
• Match the atmospheric hazard with its key characteristic:

  Hurricanes ↔️ High wind speeds, storm surge

  Tornadoes ↔️ Localized destruction

  Droughts ↔️ Water scarcity

  Heatwaves ↔️ High temperatures
• Tornadoes are often caused by intense thunderstorms, wind shear, and temperature gradients
• Arrange the causes of droughts from most direct to indirect:

  1️⃣ Lack of Rainfall

  2️⃣ High Temperatures

  3️⃣ Climate Variability

  4️⃣ Human Activities
• The 2011 drought in East Africa led to widespread crop failure and food shortages.


  True
• The 2003 European heatwave resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths due to heat-related illnesses.


  True
• Droughts are more common in subtropical and semi-arid areas.


  True