Weather & Hazards
AS/A2 Geography

 

By Michael Raw
August 2010
Hodder Education
Distributed by the Trans-Atlantic Publications
ISBN: 9781444108330
126 Pages, Illustrated
$33.50 Paper original


Advanced TopicMasters will enhance student knowledge and understanding of demanding topics in AS/A-level geography.The texts can be read to consolidate understanding as each topic is covered in class, and referred to by students in order to complete essays and other assignments.

Analysis of each topic is illustrated in full colour by case studies, photographs, charts, tables and diagrams. The case studies support general discussion and can be used to illustrate assignments and written work in the final examinations. More complex topics and explanations are included in inset boxes, and provide opportunities for more detailed study.

Each Advanced Topic Master features a wide range of activities: some aim to test knowledge and understanding; others will help students develop essential skills such as statistical analysis and hypothesis testing; and others will encourage students to research topics further on the internet or in the library, or as the basis for fieldwork investigations and coursework.



Table of Contents:
Introduction
1 The global energy system
The structure of the atmosphere
The global energy budget
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
2 Frost, fog and cloud
Phase changes and latent heat
Atmospheric humidity
3 Precipitation
Formation of rain
Other forms of precipitation
Intensity and duration of precipitation events
Precipitation types
4 Pressure and winds
Atmospheric pressure
Winds
5 Air masses
Origin and characteristics of air masses
Classification of air masses
6 Small- and medium-scale weather systems
Dust devils
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
7 Large-scale weather systems
Depressions
Tropical cyclones
Anticyclones
8 Thunderstorms, tornadoes and extreme weather hazards
Hazardous weather events
Thunderstorm hazards
Hailstorm hazards
Tornado hazards
9 Depressions and related weather hazards
Heavy rainfall and flood hazards
Storm surge and gale force wind hazards
Heavy snowfall and blizzard hazards
10 Tropical cyclone hazards
Flooding and mass movement hazards
Global warming, El Niño and hurricane frequency
11 Anticyclones and weather hazards
Drought
El Niño and El Niño weather patterns
Wildfires in California
Heatwave in Europe, 2003




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