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Caribbean Weather Systems
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Caribbean Weather Systems
Caribbean Weather Systems
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1
Question
What are the five primary weather systems that the Caribbean experiences over the course of a year?
Page 1
Answer
The five systems are the ITCZ, Easterly Waves, Hurricanes, Cold Fronts, and Anticyclones.
2
Question
What does the abbreviation ITCZ stand for in meteorology?
Page 1
Answer
ITCZ stands for the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.
3
Question
How is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) formed?
Page 1
Answer
It is formed when trade winds converge in equatorial low pressure zones.
4
Question
What specific atmospheric conditions are contained within the ITCZ?
Page 1
Answer
The ITCZ contains unstable atmospheric conditions with strong rising air currents known as updraughts.
5
Question
How do the updraughts in the ITCZ result in heavy rainfall?
Page 1
Answer
The rising air cools and condenses to form heavy rains in equatorial regions.
6
Question
Which part of the Caribbean region is specifically mentioned as being affected by the ITCZ?
Page 1
Answer
The southern Caribbean is frequently affected by the ITCZ.
7
Question
How does the movement of the ITCZ change according to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere?
Page 1
Answer
It moves northward during the summer and southward during the winter months.
8
Question
Which Caribbean countries receive heavy rains when the ITCZ moves northward in the summer?
Page 1
Answer
Countries like Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago receive heavy rains.
9
Question
Where does the ITCZ move during the winter months, and which country is mentioned as receiving its rain?
Page 1
Answer
It moves south to areas below the equator, bringing rain to countries like Brazil.
10
Question
Why does Guyana experience two major periods of heavy rainfall from the ITCZ?
Page 1
Answer
Guyana is crossed twice as the ITCZ moves northward and then southward again.
11
Question
What is another name for Easterly Waves?
Page 1
Answer
Easterly waves are also known as tropical waves.
12
Question
How are Easterly Waves defined in terms of atmospheric pressure?
Page 1
Answer
They are defined as low pressure troughs that occur in tropical areas.
13
Question
Where do Easterly Waves typically develop and in what direction do they move?
Page 1
Answer
They develop in regions like Eastern Africa and move west toward the Atlantic Ocean.
14
Question
What is the typical travel speed and duration for an Easterly Wave to cross a region?
Page 1
Answer
They travel at speeds of roughly \(20 - 30\text{ km/h}\) and may take up to 4 days to cross a region.
15
Question
Describe the weather conditions found 'in front' of an Easterly Wave and the reason for them.
Page 2
Answer
The weather is fair because of descending air from the north east.
16
Question
What happens to the weather when the trough of an Easterly Wave passes over an area?
Page 2
Answer
It results in atmospheric instability with strong updrafts and cumulonimbus clouds, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms.
17
Question
From which direction do the winds blow 'behind' an Easterly Wave?
Page 2
Answer
Winds behind the wave come from the south east.
18
Question
During what months are Easterly Waves common, and how often do they leave the African coast?
Page 2
Answer
They are common from April to November, leaving the African coast every 2 - 4 days.
19
Question
How many tropical waves are typically formed in a year, and what can they develop into?
Page 2
Answer
Roughly 60 - 65 tropical waves form annually, and some may develop into hurricanes.
20
Question
Define a hurricane in terms of its pressure center and air movement.
Page 2
Answer
Hurricanes are low pressure systems with pressures in the center that increase toward the outer edges; air ascends from the ground and descends at high altitudes.
21
Question
What are the various names for hurricanes depending on their location and latitude?
Page 2
Answer
They are called tropical cyclones or typhoons in equatorial latitudes, and willy willies or depressions in temperate latitudes.
22
Question
Describe the rotation of hurricane winds in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Page 2
Answer
Winds blow anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
23
Question
What weather conditions are associated with the period immediately before a hurricane arrives?
Page 2
Answer
They are associated with calm weather and high humidity.
24
Question
What changes occur as a hurricane gets closer to a region?
Page 3
Answer
There is an increase in windspeed and cloud cover.
25
Question
What weather events occur when a hurricane makes landfall?
Page 3
Answer
It brings strong winds and heavy rains.
26
Question
What is the 'eye' of a hurricane, and what kind of weather does it bring?
Page 3
Answer
The eye is the center of the storm that brings a temporary period of calm weather.
27
Question
Which Caribbean country is mentioned as being least likely to be affected by hurricanes?
Page 3
Answer
Trinidad and Tobago are least likely to be affected.
28
Question
Describe the progression stages of a weather system becoming a hurricane.
Page 3
Answer
The stages are Tropical Wave → Tropical Depression → Tropical Storm → Hurricane.
29
Question
What is a cold front and how does it affect different air masses?
Page 3
Answer
A cold front separates a cold, dry air mass from a warm air mass, with the heavier cold air pushing under the warm air.
30
Question
What can happen if enough moisture exists in the atmosphere when a cold front passes?
Page 3
Answer
Thick clouds and possibly thunderstorms could develop.