Weather, Climate & Climate Change
Global atmospheric circulation transfers thermal energy from low latitudes (the Equator) toward the poles through the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells, governing the world's climate zones and the distribution of tropical storms. This guide covers global circulation, hurricane formation, UK extreme weather, and natural vs human causes of climate change.
- Tropical Storm
- A huge, spinning storm with strong winds and heavy rain, forming over warm oceans (over 27°C).
- Greenhouse Effect
- The natural process where gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life.
- Mitigation
- Actions taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk and hazards of climate change (e.g., switching to renewable energy).
Weather, Climate & Climate Change: Flood Hydrographs, Plate Margins & Global Systems
Test how land use changes storm hydrograph lag times, compare plate boundaries, and inspect global atmospheric cells and the Demographic Transition Model.
Stage 2 (Early Expanding — LICs e.g. Afghanistan / Niger): Death Rate falls rapidly due to clean water, vaccinations, and basic healthcare, while Birth Rate remains high. Natural increase is at its steepest, giving a wide-based youthful population pyramid.
Key Concepts & Exam Definitions (5)
- Tropical Storm
- A huge, spinning storm with strong winds and heavy rain, forming over warm oceans (over 27°C).
- Greenhouse Effect
- The natural process where gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life.
- Mitigation
- Actions taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk and hazards of climate change (e.g., switching to renewable energy).
- Adaptation
- Adjusting to the actual or expected future climate (e.g., building sea walls to defend against sea-level rise).
- Coriolis Effect
- The deflection of winds due to the rotation of the Earth.
Quick-Fire Flashcards (5)
Click any card to check the answer, then mark it as Known to track your progress.
What temperature must the ocean be for a tropical storm to form?
What is the calm area in the centre of a tropical storm called?
Name two greenhouse gases.
What kind of pressure system brings dry, clear, and settled weather?
Provide one piece of evidence for long-term climate change.
Exam-Style Questions & Mark Schemes (3)
Write or think through your answer first, then click Check Mark Scheme to see the exact points examiners award marks for.
- Q1
Explain how global atmospheric circulation creates deserts at 30° North and South of the equator.
Click “Check Mark Scheme” to compare your answer, Air that rose at the equator cools and sinks at 30° N/S. Sinking air creates high pressure, preventing cloud formation and resulting in dry, arid conditions.
- Q2
State one economic impact of a tropical storm.
Click “Check Mark Scheme” to compare your answer, Destruction of infrastructure and businesses, leading to loss of income and high rebuilding costs.
- Q3
Give one mitigation strategy for climate change.
Click “Check Mark Scheme” to compare your answer, Investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar to replace fossil fuels.
Common Exam Questions (3)
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes the short-term, day-to-day atmospheric conditions (temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloud cover) at a specific place, whereas climate is the long-term average weather pattern recorded over at least 30 years.
What is global atmospheric circulation?
Global atmospheric circulation is the system of three tri-cellular convection loops in each hemisphere (Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells) combined with the Coriolis effect that redistributes surplus solar heat from the Equator toward the poles.
How do human activities cause climate change?
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for electricity and transport, deforestation, and livestock farming increase atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide, enhancing the greenhouse effect and raising global average temperatures.
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