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The storms of October 2000


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Contents

Introduction
The storms of 28-30 October
The passage of a depression - the example of 30 October storm
Exercises

Exercises
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  1. With reference to the Bjerknes model (Bergen School):

     i. briefly explain how depressions develop;
    ii. draw a labelled diagram of a mature depression, marking on the cold front, warm front and warm sector.
     
  2. Briefly explain why wave depressions develop.
     
  3. Explain why the first wave depression on 28 October brought such heavy rain and gale force winds to southern England.
     
  4. (a) Use the information in Table 2 to draw a graph of temperature and hourly rainfall at Heathrow Airport between 1000 on 29 October and 1700 on 30 October.
    (b) Annotate your graph with the following labels:
         ahead of the warm front
         the warm front passes over
         the warm sector
         the cold front passes over
         behind the cold front

    The account of the 30 October storm, as well as the information in Table 1, will help you roughly plot where these labels should occur.
     
  5. With reference to types of air mass and vertical movements of the air mass, explain why changes take place in air temperature as the frontal system passes over.
     
  6. Explain why changes take place in precipitation type and amount as the various stages of the frontal system pass over.
     
  7. (a) Write a brief summary of the damage and effects caused by the storm of 30 October.
    (b) Briefly explain why the effects were so severe and widespread across the UK.
     
  8. Explain how knowledge of frontal models and the use of satellite images by weather forecasters can help to reduce the loss of life and impact on humans when severe storms pass over the UK.
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