HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

WHAT IS HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARD?

A process or phenomenon of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature that
may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods
and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.

INCLUDES:
- Tropical Cyclone
- Monsoon
- Floods
- Tornado

VARIOUS HAZARDS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES:

- Storm Surge and Storm Tide
- Heavy rainfall and inland flooding
- High winds
- RIP Currents
- Tornadoes

VARIOUS HAZARDS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF MONSOONS:

- River floods are mostly seasonal and triggered by the heavy rains or a rapid
snowmelt that raise water levels. Coastal floods are associated with Tropical
Cyclones. Tsunamis and Storm Surges, tide surges and flash flooding may at
times also cause coastal floods.

VARIOUS HAZARDS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF FLOOD:

- River floods are often atmospherically driven., caused by excessive precipitation.
They can also occur due to landslides falling into rivers, and dam or levee failures.
Coastal surges are often due to storm surges caused by tropical cyclones or
tectonically produced tsunamis.

VARIOUS HAZARDS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF TORNADOES:

- Nature’s most violent storms. Tornadoes are fast-spinning columns of air that
reach the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground, with wind speeds up to 300
miles per hour. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can appear
suddenly and without warning.
PRACTICAL WAYS OF COPING WITH HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS
WAYS ON COPING WITH TORNADOES:
- Go to a windowless interior room on the lowest level of your house. om or closet.
- Get away from the windows.
- Go to the center of the room.
- Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris. -Get under a piece of
sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
- Use your arms to protect your head and neck. If you are in a mobile home, get out
and find shelter elsewhere.

WAYS ON COPING WITH TROPICAL CYCLONES:

- Ask your local council if your home is built to cyclone standards. Are you
adequately insured? Make sure it covers you for storm surge, flooding and
cyclone damage, including clean-up and debris removal.
- Check your roof and repair any loose tiles, eaves or roof screws. -Ensure
windows are fitted with shutters or metal screens. -Trim any branches hanging
over your house and clear gutters of leaves and debris.
- Make sure your household is familiar with the Standard Emergency Warning
Signal (SEWS), which is generally broadcast when a cyclone is 12 hours or less
away.
- Decide how you will look after your pets and what you will do if you have to leave
them behind.

WAYS ON COPING WITH MONSOON:

- Watching current weather forecasts on TV or the internet -Listening to weather
reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio
- Subscribing to lightning and severe weather notification services
- Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead around before leaving a
safe location

WAYS ON COPING WITH FLOOD:

- Prepare
- Be aware of the dangers of flood water
- Have a reserve of bottled water and non-perishable food ready
- If flood water is about to enter your home, turn off water, electricity and gas
supplies
- Move valuable belongings upstairs
- Sterilize the bathtub and fill it with water
- Block your toilet with sandbags
- Always wear waterproof clothing when in flood water
- Don't throw anything away until the insurance company have assessed the
damage
FACTORS INFLUENCING CLIMATE:

CLIMATE - Refers to the prevailing average weather patterns of a region over a long
period (e.g., 30 to 50 years)
WEATHER - Refers to daily atmospheric conditions such as precipitation, temperature,
humidity, wind, and sunshine

CLIMATE ZONES - Different regions around the world have different climate zones,
including hot and dry deserts, warm and wet tropical rainforests, and ice-covered areas.

MAIN FACTORS INFLUENCING CLIMATE:

- LATITUDE:
- Location on the globe in relation to the equator
- The closer to the equator a location is, the warmer the temperature tends
to be due to more intense solar energy.
- Regions close to the equator experience warm temperatures year-round
- Regions closer to the poles have colder temperatures and four seasons.
- ALTITUDE:
- Height of land above sea level
- Higher altitude regions are cooler than lower altitude regions at the same
latitude.
- Saturated air cools as altitude increases, with a cooling rate of 0.6 degrees
Celsius per hundred vertical meters.
- MOUNTAINS:
- Mountains can influence climate through orographic rainfall, with wet
climates on the windward side and drier climates on the leeward side (rain
shadow effect).
- RELIEF FEATURES:
- Relief features such as Cape Horn and Wellington can cause wind
funneling and affect wind patterns.
- PROXIMITY TO OCEANS:
- Proximity to oceans can moderate temperatures, with coastal areas
experiencing milder climates due to sea breezes.
- OCEAN CURRENTS:
- Ocean currents can warm or cool air masses as they pass over warm or
cold ocean currents.
- AIR PRESSURE SYSTEMS:
- The world is divided into high and low-pressure systems, with high
pressure associated with clear skies and greater temperature ranges, and
low pressure associated with high winds, rainfall, and warm air.
EL NIÑO:

What is an El Niño?
- El Niño is a weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean characterized by warmer
surface water temperatures.
- Not a storm but leads to complex weather patterns spanning from Alaska to South
America.
- Named by South American fishermen in the 19th century due to warmer waters
during Christmas time.

Formation of El Nino:
- Occurs when sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean rise 0.5
degrees Celsius over their historic average for three consecutive months.
- Weakening of normal east to west trade winds over the Pacific.
- Warm water, usually traveling westward, moves eastward.
- Moisture rises into the air, affecting atmospheric conditions and rainfall patterns.

Effects of El Nino:
- Oceanic effects:
- Warm water displaces cold water downward, affecting nutrient-rich
upwelling. Marine life migrates to colder waters, impacting fisheries in
Central and South America.
- Land effects:
- Western United States and Central/South America experience increased
storms, rainfall, floods, and loss of life/property.
- Southeast Asia and Australia suffer droughts, wildfires, and colder ocean
waters.
- Significant Events:
- 1997-98 saw the biggest El Niño in recorded history, causing 2100 deaths
and $33 billion in damages globally.
- Mongolia experienced extreme temperatures, Peru saw record flooding,
and the U.S. Gulf Coast faced storms, flash flooding, and tornadoes.
THUNDERSTORMS:

Description
- Description:
- Thunderstorms are described as rain showers accompanied by lightning
and thunder.
- Frequency:
- About 2,000 thunderstorms occur worldwide at any moment.

Types of Thunderstorms
1. Single-cell: Small, weak, and isolated storms.
2. Multi-cell: Common type, includes a cluster of thunderstorms.
3. Squall line: Collection of storms forming a line hundreds of miles long.
4. Supercells: Most intense, capable of producing tornadoes.

How thunderstorms are formed

- Rising Warm Air (Updraft):
- Warm air in the lowest atmosphere layers rises, causing water evaporation
and forming clouds.
- Cloud Development:
- Clouds build and grow, sometimes reaching 10 miles in height.
- Rain Formation:
- Cool, dry air from upper layers (downdraft) pulls moisture downward,
causing rain.

Role in Atmosphere Balance

- Heat and Energy Regulation:
- Thunderstorms help regulate heat by carrying it upward with water vapor,
then releasing it into higher altitudes.
- Electrical Balance:
- Thunderstorms help maintain the electrical balance between the
atmosphere and the planet, with excess charges leading to lightning.

Hazards and Dangers

- Lightning Strikes: Can create fires.
- Excessive Rainfall: Can cause flash flooding.
- Tornadoes: High-speed winds can destroy homes.
HURRICANES:

Formation of Hurricanes:
- Occur in the Atlantic Ocean during late summer, when tropical waters are
warmest.
- Form from clusters of thunderstorms, drawing warm, moist air high into the
atmosphere.
- Warm air converts into energy, fueling circular winds around a low-pressure
center, known as the eye.

Structure of Hurricanes:
- Eye: Central calm region, typically 20-30 mile radius.
- Eye Wall: Surrounds eye, with fastest wind speeds.
- Rainbands: Curved bands of clouds, releasing heavy rain and sometimes
tornadoes.

Hurricane Classification:
- Reach hurricane status when winds exceed 74 mph.
- Classified on Saffir-Simpson Scale (categories 1-5) based on wind speed and
damage potential.

Storm Surge:
- Most dangerous component near land.
- Caused by winds pushing water towards shore, up to 20 feet above sea level,
extending up to 100 miles.
- Responsible for 90% of hurricane-related deaths.

Role in Ecosystem:
- Hurricanes regulate climate by transferring heat energy from equator to poles,
stabilizing Earth's temperature.
TORNADOES:

Characteristics of Tornadoes:
- Powerful spinning columns of air stretching from ground to clouds.
- Most are relatively weak, but large events cause immense destruction.
- Occur on six of the seven continents.

Frequency and Location:

- The United Kingdom has the most tornadoes based on land size (about 33
annually).
- The United States reports over 1,000 tornadoes annually, the most intense.

Formation:
- Two main types: supercell and non-supercell tornadoes.
- Formation involves high and low-pressure air interactions.
- Non-supercell tornadoes form from cool high-pressure air meeting warm
low-pressure air, creating wind.
- Supercell tornadoes involve violent supercell storms drawing warm low-pressure
air upward, creating wind.

Updrafts and Vortex Formation:

- Updrafts provide the final ingredient for tornado formation.
- In non-supercell tornadoes, updrafts stretch a vertical vortex until it connects with
clouds.
- Supercell tornadoes' updrafts lift rolling wind upward until it stands upright, pulling
condensation into the vortex.

Classification and Impact:

- Tornadoes classified using Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF0 to EF5).
- EF5 tornadoes are the strongest, exceeding 200 mph.
- Historic example: 1999 Oklahoma City tornado, EF5 with wind speeds over 300
mph, causing significant damage and fatalities.
DROUGHT:

Types of Drought:
- Meteorological Drought:
- Defined by less rainfall than usual.
- Australia's rainfall is highly variable, leading to instances of rainfall
deficiency.
- Serious or severe deficiencies occur with significantly lower rainfall.
- Hydrological Drought:
- Occurs when low rainfall combines with high temperatures.
- Results in reduced runoff, falling river levels, depleted water storages, and
drier soils.
- Agricultural Drought:
- Leads to reduced productivity, income loss, and strains on affected
communities.
- Socioeconomic Drought:
- Effects spread through the wider community, impacting various sectors
beyond agriculture.

Impact of Drought:
- Drought affects people's livelihoods and the environment as a whole.
- It's challenging to determine when a drought ends or how much rainfall is needed
for recovery.
- Recovery may take many wet months for landscapes, waterways, and
communities to bounce back.
LA NIÑA

Introduction:
- La Niña is the Coldwater phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
- ENSO is the most influential climate pattern used in seasonal forecasting.
- Vanya's development helps predict climate throughout the United States months
into the future.

La Niña Dynamics:
- During La Niña, ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific cool about Fahrenheit
below average.
- Cooler waters in the tropical Pacific shift thunderstorm activity westward towards
Indonesia.
- Strong thunderstorm activity pumps heat and moisture into the upper atmosphere,
disturbing global circulation patterns.
- The jet stream retracts towards Asia, causing pronounced changes in circulation
over the Pacific Ocean and North America.

Effects on the United States:

- Northern Tier: More cold air outbreaks are common.
- Southern Tier: Warmer and drier conditions prevail.
- Specific Regions: The Pacific Northwest and the Ohio-Tennessee Valley tend to
experience above-average rainfall during La Niña events

Duration and Predictability:

- La Niñas can last longer than El Niño, sometimes up to three years.
- The influence of the ocean on the atmosphere during La Niña is steady and
changes slowly, allowing climatologists to make predictions months in advance.
3 DEGREES WARMER; HEAT WAVE

Impacts of a Three-Degree Warmer World:

- Arctic ice-free all summer.
- Amazon rainforest drying out.
- Alps snow caps disappearing.
- El Niños causing extreme weather patterns.
- The Mediterranean and parts of Europe are experiencing searing summer heat.

Impact on Europe (2003 Heat Wave):

- Heat wave became the norm in a three-degree warmer world
- Heat wave in 2003 resulted in unrelenting heat across Europe
- Paris experienced a significant exodus during the heatwave
- Elderly population particularly vulnerable
- Emergency room doctors realized the severity of the situation
- Death toll estimated between 2,500 and 3,000 on August 10
- Death toll across Europe and France exceeded 30,000 and 14,000, respectively,
within a few weeks
- 2003 heat wave considered one of the first major catastrophes due to global
warming affecting a wealthy country

STORM SURGE:

Definition:
- A storm surge is an abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm, typically a
hurricane, cyclone, or typhoon,
- It is caused by strong winds and low atmospheric pressure pushing water towards
the shore.

Impacts:
- Flooding: Storm surges can inundate coastal areas, causing extensive flooding
of homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
- Erosion: The force of the surging water can erode beaches, dunes, and coastal
structures, leading to loss of land and property.
- Damage: Buildings, roads, bridges, and other coastal infrastructure can suffer
significant damage from the force of the storm surge and accompanying waves.
- Contamination: Storm surges may carry pollutants and debris inland,
contaminating water sources and posing health risks to communities.
Factors Influencing Impact:
- Storm Intensity: The strength and size of the storm, including wind speed and
duration, can determine the magnitude of the storm surge.
- Coastal Topography: The shape and slope of the coastline can influence how far
inland the surge travels and the extent of flooding.
- Tide Level: The timing of the storm relative to the tidal cycle can exacerbate or
mitigate the impact of the surge.

Prevention and Mitigation:

- Coastal Defense Structures: Construction of seawalls, levees, and barriers can
help protect coastal communities from storm surges.
- Land-use Planning: Zoning regulations and building codes can restrict
development in high-risk coastal areas and promote resilient infrastructure.
- Early Warning Systems: Timely evacuation orders and storm surge warnings
can help minimize loss of life and property damage.