Climate and Weather Patterns in Hong Kong
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Questions and Answers

What factors influence the uneven distribution of natural hazards across a region?

Distance from the sea, latitude, and land use can influence the uneven distribution of natural hazards.

What are the primary climatic characteristics of Hong Kong during summer?

Hot and wet due to the SE and SW monsoons.

Describe three spatial patterns in which natural hazards can be distributed.

Natural hazards can be distributed in linear, clustered, or dispersed patterns.

Explain how tropical cyclones affect the weather conditions in Hong Kong.

<p>They bring intense rainfall, strong winds, and can lead to natural hazards like flooding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify two major categories of natural hazards and provide one example from each.

<p>Geological hazards include tsunamis, while climatic hazards include heat waves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of how a tropical cyclone develops.

<p>It starts with heated air rising over warm ocean water, leading to strong convection and low pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the wind speed range for a tropical storm.

<p>63-87 km/hr.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain why knowledge of weather elements is crucial for understanding hazard distribution.

<p>Weather elements like temperature and precipitation directly affect the frequency and intensity of climatic hazards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by weather conditions and how do they differ from weather elements?

<p>Weather conditions refer to the state of the atmosphere over a short period, while weather elements are measurable factors like temperature and humidity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the major social impacts of tropical cyclones on Hong Kong?

<p>They can trigger flooding, landslides, disrupt transportation, and cause casualties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What preventative measures are taken against tropical cyclones in Hong Kong?

<p>Monitoring and forecasting, emergency response plans, and public education.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between a tropical depression and a super typhoon.

<p>A tropical depression has wind speeds of 62 km/hr or below, while a super typhoon exceeds 185 km/hr.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the HK Observatory play in disaster management related to tropical cyclones?

<p>It monitors cyclone development and issues warning signals to prepare the public.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor determining slope stability in Hong Kong?

<p>Shear strength is the primary factor determining slope stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does heavy rainfall contribute to landslides in Hong Kong?

<p>Heavy rainfall increases the weight of slope materials, saturates the soil, and increases shear stress while decreasing shear strength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the differences between gentle and steep slopes in terms of contour lines.

<p>Gentle slopes are represented by widely spaced contour lines, while steep slopes are shown by closely spaced contour lines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an escarpment and how is it characterized in terms of slope?

<p>An escarpment is characterized by a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other side.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify two human factors that can affect landslide occurrence in Hong Kong.

<p>Poor design and maintenance of slopes, along with leaking underground water pipes, are two human factors affecting landslide occurrence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the gradient play in slope stability?

<p>The gradient, defined as vertical difference divided by horizontal difference, affects the susceptibility of a slope to landslides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term 'saddle' as it relates to natural relief features.

<p>A saddle is a depression located between hills, resembling the shape of a saddle on a horse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does summertime weather contribute to landslide conditions?

<p>Hot and wet summer weather promotes weathering, producing thick layers of loose material on slopes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Natural Hazards

The natural occurrence of events that can cause harm or destruction.

Even Distribution of Hazards

Natural hazards are spread across a region in a uniform manner. Every point in the region is equally likely to experience the hazard.

Uneven Distribution of Hazards

Natural hazards are concentrated in specific areas of a region due to geographic factors.

Factors Affecting Hazard Distribution

The location of a hazard can be influenced by things like distance from the sea, latitude (how far north or south you are), and how the land is used.

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Hazard Spatial Patterns

The way hazards are spread out across space. Hazards can be spread out in a line, clustered together, or scattered randomly.

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What is climate?

The average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time, usually measured over 30 years.

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What is Hong Kong's climate type called?

A type of climate characterized by hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters, influenced by the monsoon system.

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What is wind?

The process of air moving from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, driven by differences in temperature.

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What is onshore wind?

The wind that blows from the sea to the land, typically during the summer months, bringing moist air and rain.

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What is offshore wind?

The wind that blows from the land to the sea, typically during the winter months, bringing dry air.

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What are tropical cyclones?

A low-pressure system that develops over tropical oceans during the summer months, characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.

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How are tropical cyclones classified?

The category of a tropical cyclone based on its wind speed, ranging from tropical depression to super typhoon, with increasing wind speeds.

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What are the social impacts of tropical cyclones?

The negative impacts of tropical cyclones on Hong Kong's society, ranging from damage to infrastructure and services to loss of life.

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Shear Strength

The ability of a material to resist sliding motion.

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Shear Stress

The force that causes a sliding motion, such as gravity pulling on slope materials.

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Cohesion

The force that holds rock or soil particles together, preventing them from moving apart.

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Friction

The resistance to motion between surfaces in contact. It helps stabilize slopes.

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Landslide

A rapid downward movement of soil or rock due to gravity. Often triggered by rainfall.

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Gradient

The steepness of a slope, measured by the angle or ratio of vertical rise to horizontal distance.

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Weight of slope materials

The force that pulls slope materials downwards, such as the weight of the soil or rock.

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Escarpment

A steep slope with one side gentle and the other side steep.

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Study Notes

Climate

  • Climate ⇔ average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time (measuring over 30 years)
  • Hong Kong's climate ⇔ subtropical monsoon climate (hot & wet summer / cool & dry winter)
  • Recap of monsoon system

Summer ⇔ onshore wind

  • Land heats faster than sea
  • Hot air sinks, forming high-pressure areas
  • Low temp & low pressure area to rise
  • Winds blow from sea to land (SE and SW monsoons)
  • Moisture ⇔ wetter climate

Winter ⇔ offshore wind

  • Land cools faster than sea
  • Cold air sinks, forming high-pressure area
  • High temp & low pressure area to rise
  • Wind blows from land to sea (N and NE monsoons)
  • Moisture ⇔ drier climate

Tropical Cyclones

  • Low pressure systems developed over tropical oceans during the summer
  • How a tropical cyclone develops:
    • Air is heated and rises when the ocean surface temperature is over 26°C
    • Surrounding air moves in, resulting in air rising and air pressure dropping
    • As air keeps flowing into low pressure the water vapour is released, and the heat energy is converted into strengthening the low pressure system.
    • Wind speeds increase
    • A tropical cyclone is formed
  • Structure of a tropical cyclone:
    • Clear eye
    • Wide wind bands
  • Types of tropical cyclones:
    • Tropical Depression (62 km/hr or below)
    • Tropical Cyclone / Typhoon (62 - 185 km/hr)
    • Severe Tropical Storm (88 -117 km/hr)
    • Super Typhoon (≥185 km/hr)

Negative Impacts of tropical cyclones on Hong Kong

  • Social impacts:

    • Triggering other natural hazards (e.g. storm surges and strong winds)
    • Flooding and landslides
    • Traffic disruption
    • Uprooted trees and disrupt transportation
    • Flights are cancelled; water supplies are disrupted
    • Casualties (caused by falling objects, smash windows, floating lands)

  • Economic impacts:

    • Decrease in productivity (most commercial activities forced to stop)
    • Public transport services in chaos
    • Loss of property (extensive damages)
    • High repair costs (expensive property repairing damaged utilities)

Preventative Measures

  • Monitoring and forecasting
    • HK observatory monitors development and movement of tropical cyclones (satellite/radar)
    • Issuing warning signs
    • Alerting the public
  • Setting up emergency response plans
    • Improvement of emergency meetings and drills (more efficiency)
    • Setting up departmental meetings (district offices, etc.)
    • Education and drainage services improvement
    • Raise public awareness through different means

Remedial Measures

  • Emergency relief
    • Emergency rescue teams were sent to evacuate victims
    • Temporary shelters were open to people
    • Cleanup affected areas
    • Clearing up fallen trees and debris on the streets
    • Cleaning up blocked water channels and repairing damaged water/power supply systems

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Description

Explore the unique climate characteristics of Hong Kong, focusing on its subtropical monsoon climate. This quiz delves into seasonal wind variations and the formation of tropical cyclones. Test your knowledge on how climate influences weather patterns in this vibrant city.

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