Revision for geography Test Weather and Climate
Solar Radiation – Not evenly distributed due to Earth's tilt and curvature. Most
concentrated at the equator.
Coriolis effect – As air moves around the Earth, the planet continues to spin. When air
moves it will be deflected to the right/in a clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere
and left / anti-clockwise direction.
Jet streams – Extreme temperature differences that form at the border of circulation
cells. Affect the movement of weather systems.
Oceanic circulation – Surface Oceans are driven by the movement of wind. Deep ocean
currents are driven by water sinking and rising due to varying temperatures. This
redistributes the Earth's heat. For example, the Gulf Stream causes warm water to travel
along the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean to the UK.
Reasons for the UK’s climate:
55 degrees North of the equator.
Prevailing wind – The Southwest prevailing wind from the Atlantic Ocean brings over
moisture causing more rainfall and a decrease in temperature.
Maritime influence – UK surrounded by sea, brings moisture (more rainfall)
North Atlantic Drift – Warm Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico making milder winters.
Altitude – 1 degree lost every 100m above sea level. As air is forced above mountains.
It cools and condenses making precipitation.
Human causes of climate change:
1. Industry – higher use of energy/ demand for energy = more fossil fuels being burnt
2. Transport – More vehicles, more fuel burnt
3. Farming – A higher population, more food needed, more machinery, and farming of
cattle and rice produced methane.
Negative impacts of climate change:
1. Lower crop yields due to an increase in temperatures and a decrease in sunlight for
photosynthesis.
2. Sea level rise – ice melt, flooding, and loss of habitat and water supplies.
Natural causes of climate change:
1
1. Milankovitch cycle – change in Earth’s position affects the amount of radiation
received. Eccentricity - changes in orbital shape every 100k years.
Axial tilt - changing every 40k years.
Precession – Earth’s rotation changes every 24k years.
2. Solar variation – Periods of low solar activity led to glacial periods.
3. Volcanism – large eruptions and ash/dust blocking solar radiation can lead to cooling.
4. Surface impact – asteroids/comets can eject lots of dust which can block solar
radiation.
Evidence of Climate Change:
1. Tree rings – wider in warmer wetter climates
2. Ice cores - Contains ash pollen microbes etc; tells us about the past climate.
3. Plants – certain plants can only grow in certain conditions.
4. Historical documents.
Factors that affect Tropical cyclones:
1. Frequency – More likely to occur between June to November in the northern
tropics and November to April in the Southern tropics. Predicted to increase with
climate change.
2. Movement – follows the direction of the prevailing wind, the longer it travels
over the ocean the more energy it gains.
Impacts of tropical cyclones – High winds, Intense rainfall, Storm surges, coastal
flooding and Landslides
Measurement of tropical cyclones – category 1 -5 (measure of speed and damage)
Abiotic – Non-living parts of an ecosystem.
Biotic – Living parts of an ecosystem.
Causes of Drought:
Meteorological – When an area receives less precipitation than normal due to a change in
weather patterns. If it rains more in summer than in winter not as much of the water will
be stored due to harder / baked surfaces and evaporation.
Extra information – also caused by changes in the jet stream, climate, and varying patterns
of atmospheric / Oceanic circulation.
2
Hydrological – surface water decreases due to higher temperatures (drying the ground)
and lowered levels of precipitation (less moisture), causing over-reliance and exploitation
of groundwater and reservoirs.
Human - = dams restrict water flow, and deforestation leads to less CO2 being absorbed
enhancing the greenhouse effect. Water taken for irrigation/crops leaves water supplies
lower.
Impacts of Droughts
Social – worse mental health. Ill health. Migration
Economic – increase in food price, industries impacted, decrease in industry income.
Environmental – Wild animals suffer, habitats are damaged, endangered species become
extinct, soil is dry and unable to support plants, Wildlife migration.
